"
"Is she like our mother?" asked Chariot.
"She is handsomer."
"But ours is better. She is always doing something for us," said
Blondel.
"Mine gives me fine clothes and plenty of money to spend," said the
stranger.
"Ours gives us kisses," said Charlot.
"Ha! that's nothing. Mine makes the servants wait on me and do as I
tell them."
"But our dear mother waits on us herself."
The charcoal man and his wife listened to this little dispute, and
said nothing. They were just rising from the table when they heard a
great noise in the street. Then there was a knock at the door.
Before Mrs. Jacquot could open it, some one called out, "Is this the
house of Jacquot, the charcoal man?"
"That is my tutor," whispered the little stranger. "He has come after
me." Then he slipped quickly under the table and hid himself. "Don't
tell him I am here," he said softly.
In a few minutes the room was filled with gentlemen. They were all
dressed very finely, and some of them carried swords.
A tall man who wore a long red cloak seemed to be the leader of the
company. He said to a soldier who stood at the door, "Tell your story
again.
Pages:
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142