Part 9 (1/2)
Margot went behind the screen, and for the first time in her life she learned the magic of real play.
Jeanne had one plaything: a little forsaken puppet. But with love and tenderness she made him a hero.
Jeanne told Margot about Pierrot. She told that he was no longer the buffoon--the poor mistreated clown. He was now a hero.
He could play a knight or a king--Napoleon! She told Margot that Pierrot was Napoleon in one of her plays and that she was Joan of Arc.
Margot lived in another world for the s.p.a.ce of an hour. Then the two little girls were called back suddenly by a voice from the room.
”Margot, Margot! Child! Where are you?”
Grandmother was looking for her.
Margot and Jeanne stepped out from behind the screen and found Grandmother preparing to leave. Auntie Sue stood beside her with pencil and pad.
”Thank you, Madame,” said Auntie Sue gratefully, ”for your splendid order to-day. It was indeed kind of you to make so many purchases at my little shop.”
Madame answered, ”I am truly pleased with your charming wares, my dear Mademoiselle Moreau. Besides, you know, my dear friend Major d'Artrot is also a friend of yours.”
”But Madame,” said Auntie Sue, as the grandmother and her little Margot started out of the door, ”I have not yet taken your name. I do not know--.”
”Of course, of course,” laughed Madame Villard. ”How very forgetful of me! Please write my name and address, so you will know where to send the little things.”
Suzanne seated herself at a tiny desk and, with pencil poised, looked up at the sweet face above her.
Madame dictated: ”Madame Paul Villard. Avenue Champs Elysees.”
The pencil dropped from Auntie Sue's hand. Her head fell forward. Jeanne rushed over to the little desk and caught Auntie Sue as she was about to fall.
”Auntie, Auntie dear, what is the matter?” she cried.
Little Margot picked up the pencil while both children and Madame Villard hovered over the desk.
Suzanne rested her head on her hand and whispered, ”It is all right. I am all right now. I was only a bit faint. Oh, I am so sorry, dear Madame.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”IT IS ALL RIGHT. I AM ALL RIGHT NOW--”]
Auntie Sue was soon up upon her sprightly little feet again. Smilingly she bowed Madame and her granddaughter out of the door. But when they had left the shop, Suzanne went to her room, and Jeanne did not see her again that day.
CHAPTER XIII
COME AND PLAY
Margot took off the telephone receiver and asked for a number. It was early next morning, and the child was not yet dressed.
She was in kimono and slippers and had tiptoed into the living room.
”h.e.l.lo,” said a voice at the other end of the wire.