“But why you, my daughter?” asked her mother.
“Because, you see, it is this way. It is Victor Guerin, of course you know, Annette’s cousin who comes so often. Very well, he brings this dog to Annette. She is not at home, has gone who knows where, and her grandmother, who does not like dogs, refuses to allow Victor to leave this precious little creature.”
“But why does Victor wish to give it away?”
“O, I forgot to say that it is because next month he becomes eighteen and then he can enlist in the army.”
“That lad?”
“He is young, is he not? Still there are others as young and he is mad to go. This dog, you see, belonged to his sister who died, and he wants to place it where it will have good care.”
“I see. Very well, you may take it on one condition, that after the war you will give it again to Victor if he wishes it.”
“Yes, yes, mamma, I will.”
“But what of Mousse?”
“O, Mousse!” Lucie looked uncertain. “I will ask Victor to help me to make those two to become friends. On his part he can charge Pom Pom not to hurt Mousse and I will make Mousse understand. He may not at once, but he will in time. I will go now to bring Pom Pom to show you.”