pair of heavy laced shoes, and the shortness of his trousers allowed a
glimpse of his coarse blue hose.

"Good morning, Monsieur Claude," the market gardener replied cheerfully.
"I expected you, you know, last Monday, and, as you didn't come, I've
taken care of your canvas for you. I've hung it up on a nail in my
room."

"You are really very kind, Madame Francois. I'll go to finish that study
of mine one of these days. I wasn't able to go on Monday. Has your big
plum tree still got all its leaves?"

"Yes, indeed."

"I wanted to know, because I mean to put it in a corner of the picture.
It will come in nicely by the side of the fowl house. I have been
thinking about it all the week. What lovely vegetables are in the market
this morning! I came down very early, expecting a fine sunrise effect
upon all these heaps of cabbages."

With a wave of the arm he indicated the footway.

"Well, well, I must be off now," said Madame Francois. "Good-bye for the
present. We shall meet again soon, I hope, Monsieur Claude."

However, as she turned to go, she introduced Florent to the young
artist.

"This gentleman, it seems, has just come from a distance," said she.
"He feels quite lost in your scampish Paris. I dare say you might be of