"He was here in the summer. He has gone to Paris. And he wanted me to study. It is hard and sometimes foolishness, but then people are so much nicer who know a great many things."
"Oh," he said thoughtfully, "you live with an Indian woman up by the barracks? It is Monsieur Loisel's protégée?" and he gave her an inquiring look.
"Monsieur, I would like to know what a protégée is," with a puzzled look.
"Some one, generally a child, in whom you take an interest."
She gave a thoughtful nod, then a quick joy flamed up in her face. She was Monsieur St. Armand's protégée and she was very glad.
"You are a courageous child. I wish the boys were as brave. I hate lying;" the man said after a pause.
"O M'sieu, there are a great many cowardly people—do you not think so?" she returned naïvely.
He really smiled then, and gave several emphatic nods at her youthful discrimination.
"And you think you will not run away any more?"
"No, Monsieur, because—it is wrong."