Volume I Part 56 (2/2)
”No, Pere Ledrux, I have nothing about me!” retorted Agathe; ”and you slander this dog by suggesting that gluttony has anything to do with the friendly feeling he shows me.--Come, Ami, come; let me pat you; I am very glad to have made your acquaintance, for hereafter I shall know that I needn't be afraid of you.”
As she spoke the girl patted the dog, who made no objection and wagged his tail in token of satisfaction.
Meanwhile his master approached, walking very fast and looking straight before him. But when he arrived at Guillot's field, he glanced aside and saw his dog surrounded by five persons; whereupon he immediately called him in a loud voice:
”Here, Ami, here! come at once!”
The n.o.ble beast, obedient to his master's voice, turned his back on the little group; but as he trotted away he turned several times and looked back at Agathe.
His master had reached the bridge and was almost across, when the dog stopped in the middle, turned toward Agathe and began to bark loudly, as if to send her a last adieu.
”That's funny! that's funny!” exclaimed Poucette; ”that the dog from the Tower should take such a liking to mamzelle right off.”
”Dear me! we shall miss the train!” said Honorine; ”it goes at four o'clock; doesn't it, Pere Ledrux?”
”Yes, madame, but it ain't that yet.”
”But we have to go back to the station, and it's some distance. Here, my child, take these three francs; it's your earnest money.”
”Oh! madame is too kind! Look, Claudine, she gave me three francs!”
Little Claudine was engrossed by the velvet ribbon that had been placed about her neck.
”Now let us go, Agathe.--Good-bye, Poucette; we shall see you soon.”
”I will be ready when madame comes.”
”Very good; au revoir.”
”Good-bye, Claudine.”
The little hedgehog-headed one smiled, but could not find a word to say in reply; her ribbon absorbed all her faculties.
The two friends hurried off to the station; and as the gardener left them he said:
”Now it's all settled, I may as well take the rabbits away; that will relieve you just so much.”
”Yes, yes, Pere Ledrux, take the rabbits.”
”As for the hens--why, you can see about them later.”
”I have already said that we would keep the hens.”
”I know; but if you should ever change your mind--however, it will be time enough then.”
Honorine and Agathe took the train, the former still thinking of the savage aspect of the owner of the Tower; the other recalling with pleasure Ami's caresses.
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