with their little odd jobs: this is my last for one while. I sha'n't go
on two legs again this year."

The ladies came up with them.

"O monsieur!" said Josephine, "what is the matter?"

"We have met with a little accident, mademoiselle, that is all. Dard has
hurt his foot; nothing to speak of, but I thought he would be best at
home."

Rose raised the coat which Riviere, in spite of Dard, had flung over his
foot.

"He is bleeding! Dard is bleeding! Oh, my poor Dard. Oh! oh!"

"Hush, Rose!"

"No, don't put him out of heart, mademoiselle. Take another pull at the
flask, Dard. If you please, ladies, I must have him home without delay."

"Oh yes, but I want him to have a surgeon," cried Josephine. "And we
have no horses nor people to send off as we used to have."

"But you have me, mademoiselle," said Edouard tenderly. "Me, who would
go to the world's end for you." He said this to Josephine, but his eye
sought Rose. "I'm a famous runner," he added, a little bumptiously;
"I'll be at the town in half an hour, and send a surgeon up full
gallop."