Read this book for "A" level over 50 years ago and as I recall was this same (school) edition, which prompts my only negative comment that the narrator's (Laurent Pasquier's) long introductory chapter has been omitted in this edition. I would have been unaware of this without the English introduction (not credited) which does provide a detailed author biography. I also found the asterisked notes to be very useful.

The story is the first in the "Pasquier" chronicles and seen through the eyes of Laurent we experience life in the household and the environs of the Rue Vandamme. We observe the trials and tribulations of the family, and their differing reactions, as the their father, Raymond, struggles to improve their dire financial situation by endeavouring to improve their lot through his arduous efforts to pass certain (unspecified) exams. Lucy, the mother, looks after all their daily needs and although not having
her husband's intellect displays considerable acumen when dealing with financial matters and to my mind is the family "anchor".

We do not meet the Notary in person but he exerts considerable influence on the family fortunes by his various letters, or absence of, while he attempts to resolve the tangle of the inheritance devised by Lucy's deceased Delahaie relatives who have complicated matters even more by dying in Lima.

I look forward to reading their continuing story in "Le Jardin des Betes sauvages". ( )

—Mme Delahaie est morte, dit papa.
Maman devint toute pâle.
—Est-ce possible ?
—Vois toi-même, répondit papa. C'est une lettre du notaire.
Et il enleva son pardessus. Il avait un vêtement de coupe élégante, mais qu'il jugeait fané, ce dont nous ne pouvions nous apercevoir. Maman dépliait la lettre. Soudain elle se cacha le visage dans son tablier et se prit à pleurer. Papa souriait, le sourcil dédaigneux.
Joseph s'écria :
— Ne pleure pas, maman. Puisqu'on ne l'aimait pas, c'est pas la peine de pleurer.