"
"Remarkably fine eyesight he must have had to see enough to fall in love
with!"
"Exactly. But that is the story. My mother's father was a tanner down
there somewhere. He was fairly well-to-do for his position, and father
was considered most audacious for aspiring to her hand!"
He laughed tenderly. "My dear old father! I am so proud of him, dear
love, I can't express it at all."
"I know."
"And I am proud of _petite mere_, too. She was so brave and patient
always, and he has led her a sad life at times. They were desperately
poor, for her father left most of his money to his other daughter, who
married Jacques Colibris. You must see my Uncle Jacques, he is quite
delightful--and father was a gambler--and so on. I can myself remember
one morning when he came in and told her he had lost two hundred pounds,
and that was a fortune then."
"She told me about those times," answered Brigit, slowly. "She is very
dear and good."
They were now going slowly down towards the town. It was five o'clock,
and the _concierge's_ children were scampering about, uncombed, as they
passed the cottage.
"We'll go to the Musee and knock up old Malaumain," declared Theo
suddenly.
Pages:
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285