"The circumstances were some excuse," she finally
admitted. "But I certainly should not want a little daughter of mine to
be out after dark by herself on such a wild errand. In this country a
little girl would not think it possible to do such a thing."
Joyce's face was very sober as she arose to leave the room. "I do wish
that I could be proper like little French girls," she said, with
a sigh.
Madame drew her towards her, kissing her on both cheeks. It was such an
unusual thing for madame to do that Joyce could scarcely help showing
some surprise. Feeling that the caress was an assurance that she was not
in disgrace, as she had feared, she ran up-stairs, so light-hearted that
she sang on the way.
As the door closed behind her, monsieur reached for his pipe, saying, as
he did so, "She has a heart of gold, the little mademoiselle."
"Yes," assented madame; "but she is a strange little body, so untamed
and original. I am glad that her cousin returns soon, for the
responsibility is too great for my old shoulders. One never knows what
she will do next."
Perhaps it was for this reason that madame took Joyce with her when she
went to Tours next day. She felt safer when the child was in her sight.
"It is so much nicer going around with you than Marie," said Joyce,
giving madame an affectionate little pat, as they stood before the
entrance of a great square building, awaiting admission.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86