“A happiness, is it?” He laughed and showed his strong white teeth. “And what are you doing here, you and Pom Pom, so far from home? This is a strange meeting indeed. Where are the rest, your mother, grandfather and all?”
“Ah, that is what I do not know. I am in great distress, Victor.”
“Is it so? Then tell me what is wrong.” His face went grave as he took her bundle from her and looked into the weary little face whose eyes were so mournful with dark shadows under them. “Poor little one, you do look as if you had traveled far,” he said pityingly. “Come, sit down here by the roadside and tell me all about it.”
So Lucie poured forth her sad little tale, concluding with: “And but for Pom Pom I might have starved.”
Victor’s hand fondled the little dog who lay contentedly at his feet. “But my aunt and uncle, my cousin Annette, where are they?” he asked.
“They turned aside and I hope are quite safe with your own grandparents in your town, Victor.”
“Good! That is very good. I am glad to know this, so then, if we do not discover this Paulette nor your grandfather, I can take you there where you will be not only safe but will be very welcome.”
“That is a great relief, Victor,” Lucie gave a sigh. “But first this Paulette must be found. What do you think could have happened to her, and to my grandfather?”
“One cannot tell. I hope nothing very serious. There were explosions, you know, after the station was bombed. There are still walls falling in the town.”
“And they were there? Oh, Victor, do you think it possible that they are killed?”