Madame Renaud gave a meaning laugh. Barbe felt her color rising, but vouchsafed no reply.
That evening after supper M. Denys said:
“Let us go down to the Renauds’, my child, and welcome Madame Gardepier home.”
“Why, you saw her this morning! I thought everybody was giving her a welcome. She will be tired of so much,” was the rather careless reply.
“One is never tired of friendly appreciation.”
“Indeed?” almost saucily. “They may tire of other things, however. I was running races on the old mound this afternoon. I would like to sit and rest and talk.”
“Running races! And in the winter you were asked in marriage!” He laughed heartily and pinched her peachy cheek.
“Mère Lunde said sometimes princesses in France were asked in marriage when they were only a few years old,” she replied with dignity.
“That is true enough. Offered to this one and that. But I do not hawk my little queen about.”
“You love me very much?”