“He is the cousin of my best friend, Annette Le Brun who lived next door to us, at least she was my best friend; I do not know that I shall ever see her again, but now I have Odette.”
“Tell me about Odette.”
“She is also my next door neighbor. Like myself she is a refugee, but it is much worse for her. I have Paulette who loves me and would work her fingers off for me, but Odette has lost her father and mother. She has no one at all but a cross old great-aunt who wishes her off her hands. You understand then, miss, I mean Miss Lowndes, that it is not very happy for Odette, though since we have become friends it is better. She is so bright, so full of courage, this Odette, that I admire her much.”
“I must make her acquaintance, and Paulette’s, too. I know I shall love Paulette. Now to business. In this envelope is a sum of money which your father sends. I am sure you must need it, for I really don’t see how you have managed all this time.”
“Paulette had her savings, you see, and then for a time she had good work in two families as femme de ménage. They have left the city, unfortunately, and now poor Paulette works in a laundry where she gets small pay, but it is much better than nothing.”
“Dear Paulette, what a treasure she must be. Now, then, this is not your allotment to which, as the daughter of a captain, you are entitled. I shall see to your getting that, but your father wishes that you have this, too, every month, and I shall see that you receive it, that is, so long as I am in the city and you are here, too.”
“Paulette is always talking of going to the country where she can work in the fields, which she would like much better than what she is doing.”
“I don’t blame her. We shall have to talk about that later on. I am working with the Committee for Devastated France, and shall be here until I am sent elsewhere. Now, dear child, if there is anything I can do I want you to be sure to let me know. I want you to feel that you have a friend, a countrywoman of your mother, whom you can turn to at any time. I will give you a card with the address which will always find me.”
“My mother, I don’t suppose my father has heard anything of her,” said Lucie wistfully. “Has he any idea where she is?”
“I am afraid not. We think she must be in one of the towns behind the German lines, so of course she cannot communicate with her people. There is no reason to believe she is not safe. We are all making every effort to get news of her but so far have not succeeded. You shall know the very instant we do hear anything. Let me see, I suppose Sunday would be the best day for seeing Paulette, and Odette, too. Of course you, dear child, are to look upon me as a friend, but I want to find out things that can be done for any refugee, and this little Odette, I want to learn more about her. I cannot stop now, but Sunday I shall see you again, and please call me Miss Nora, it sounds so much more friendly.” She stooped to give Lucie a kiss and went off casting a bright glance over her shoulder as she went out.