I've been thinking.'

'Très-bien!' she said, with an insufferable smile, 'thinking is very good
also; but you look unhappy--very, poor cheaile. Take care you are not grow
jealous for poor Madame talking sometime to your papa; you must not, little
fool. It is only for a your good, my dear Maud, and I had no objection you
should stay.'

'_You_! Madame!' I said loftily. I was very angry, and showed it through my
dignity, to Madame's evident satisfaction.

'No--it was your papa, Mr. Ruthyn, who weesh to speak alone; for me I do
not care; there was something I weesh to tell him. I don't care who know,
but Mr. Ruthyn he is deeferent.'

I made no remark.

'Come, leetle Maud, you are not to be so cross; it will be much better you
and I to be good friends together. Why should a we quarrel?--wat nonsense!
Do you imagine I would anywhere undertake a the education of a young person
unless I could speak with her parent?--wat folly! I would like to be your
friend, however, my poor Maud, if you would allow--you and I together--wat
you say?'

'People grow to be friends by liking, Madame, and liking comes of itself,
not by bargain; I like every one who is kind to me.'

'And so I. You are like me in so many things, my dear Maud! Are you quaite
well to-day? I think you look fateague; so I feel, too, vary tire. I think
we weel put off the lessons to to-morrow. Eh? and we will come to play la