"They have staunch foundations. The good God has anchored them fast."
A puzzled look wavered over her face. "Monsieur, it is said the great world is round. Why does not the water spill out as it turns? It would fall out of a pail."
"Ah, child, that once puzzled wiser heads than thine. And years must pass over thy head before thou canst understand."
"When I am as big as miladi?"
"I am afraid I do not quite understand myself, though I learned it in the convent, I am quite sure. And I could not see why we did not fall off. Some of the good nuns still believed the world was flat," and miladi laughed. "Women's brains were not made for over-much study."
"Is it far to France?"
"Two months' or so sail."
"On a river?"
"Oh, on a great ocean. We must look at the Sieur's chart. Out of sight of any land for days and days."
"I should feel afraid. And if you did not know where the land was?"