“Oh, no,” replied Pitou. “It is all fixed between master and the doctor. He is going to stay a little longer in town to finish up the revolution. Not alone, you understand, but with Mayor Bailly and General Lafayette.”
“Oh, I am not so much alarmed about him as long as in the gentlemen’s company,” said the good old soul with admiration.
“When does he think of returning?” inquired the daughter.
“I don’t know in the least.”
“Then, what have you come back for?”
“To bring Sebastian Gilbert to Father Fortier’s school, and you, Farmer Billet’s instructions.”
Pitou spoke like a herald, with so much dignity that the farmer’s wife dismissed all the gapers.
“Mrs. Billet,” began the messenger, “the master wants you to be worried as little as possible, so he thinks that while he is away, the management of the farm should be in other hands, younger and livelier.”
“Oh!”
“Yes, and he has selected Miss Catherine.”