Mons. Carriere hesitated. “That one cannot tell at once. In these times a thousand things might happen. He may have been turned aside on account of danger from the guns. He may have taken another road, a longer, though perhaps better. It will do no harm to wait a little. Give him time. You are more than welcome to remain as my guest. Content yourself, my child. If, after a reasonable time, he does not come, then we will see what next.”
“But monsieur—” Lucie began to protest.
“La la, there is nothing to say, not a word. Let us go in and see what that Marianne has for us.”
There was indeed nothing to do but to accept the hospitality so readily offered, so Lucie went in, but though her host did his best to make her feel at ease and to declare himself fortunate in having the opportunity of entertaining a guest at table, Lucie felt too troubled to enjoy her meal very much, though she realized that Fate had been kinder to her than to most refugees. She made an effort to appear cheerful, but her wistful smile went to Mons. Carriere’s heart, and made him even more fatherly in his manner toward her.
He left her to Paulette when the meal was over, and then these two conferred together.
“I am troubled, so troubled, Paulette,” said Lucie. “I am most unfortunate. My father wounded, my mother lost, my grandfather who knows where?”
“Take heart, my child, it is not so bad as it appears,” Paulette made the effort to console her. “It is much better than yesterday when your only shelter was a cow shed and you were entirely alone. Your father lives, we are assured, and since he has recovered thus far we may believe that he has turned the corner. Your mother is with him, no doubt, and as for your grandfather, there is no need to worry about him, for he is with friends who will look after him. One must do what one can in these times, and I have my belief that we shall find him in Paris waiting for us.”
“Then do we go on at once?”
“Not at once. In another day, I think. We must give them another day. This is a good place. One finds it peaceful, restful. This Marianne so friendly, monsieur so kind. Yes, it is not showing appreciation to hurry away without reason. Another day, chèrie. We will take a good night’s rest and let the morrow take care of itself.”
“Do you think grandfather will be here then?”