they call it in that part of the country, is a very old word, and means
a large bonnet made of linen and cardboard, which projects over the
face like the head-dress of a nun. Veronica would slip near Pierre,
take possession of his hand, and keep it in hers. Thus they walked along
contentedly without saying a word. They stopped from time to time to
kiss each other. 'I wish to kiss you,' Veronica would say, and as she
did so she embraced him tenderly with her little arms. Then after Pierre
had allowed her the caress he would, in his turn, kiss her vehemently on
her pretty, little, plump cheeks. . . ."

* * * * *

"Little Veronica used to run and seat herself upon our doorstep as soon
as she was up; and there she remained like a faithful, loyal spaniel.
As soon as Pierre woke he thought of her being there, and he would
immediately get out of bed, have himself quickly washed, and stand
quietly to have his blond curls combed out, and then run to find his
little friend. They embraced each other and prattled of the events of
the day before; sometimes Veronica, before coming to our house to wait
for Pierre, made a trip to the seashore and gathered an apron full of
the beautiful shells as a love offering to her sweetheart.

"One day, at about the end of August, after a long reverie, during which
Pierre had perhaps weighed and considered the difficult question of the
social difference between them, he said; 'Veronica you and I must get
married some day; I will ask permission of my parents when the time
comes.'"

Then my sister speaks of our departure: