So the days went by, and Lucie learned a great many things. Odette taught her to make an excellent potage, though more often it was a soupe maigre which they were obliged to have. Paulette took a modest lunch with her, for she did not get back till night, and the two little girls had their meal together. Paulette arranged that they should go to market with Mathilde, under whose instructions Lucie became an expert buyer, and although she was always busy she was the happier for it.
At night the streets were dark; there was no rattle of omnibuses, no shops open, window curtains drawn, even the street cars darkened by blinds. It was not like the Paris of which Lucie had dreamed in those early days.
Out of this darkness one evening came a welcome visitor. It was Pom Pom who first recognized the step on the stair. He sniffed at the crack of the door, then began to whine excitedly, running first to Lucie and then to Paulette, imploring in his language to be let out.
“What in the world is the matter with the little beast?” said Paulette.
“Shall I let him out?”
“No; it is a stray cat which has come in, no doubt. He does not like stray cats; he is clever, however, and recognizes friends. He never disturbs that big cat of Mathilde.”
“He certainly is making a great fuss,” remarked Lucie as Pom Pom became more and more frantic. “Ah, there is a knock at the door; it is a person and not a cat. Shall I go?”
“Not at all. I will go.” Although she was quite ready to scold Lucie, when she thought occasion required, and the two lived as equals, Paulette never forgot the proprieties when necessary. It was her place to go to the door, and she went. For a moment she started at the soldier standing there in his red trousers and blue coat. The light was dim and until he spoke she did not recognize him. “Monsieur Victor!” she then cried.
Then Lucie, who had vainly tried to hold Pom Pom, sprang to her feet, but she could not outdistance the little dog, who seemed to reach his master at one bound.
“I am right, then,” said Victor’s hearty voice. “There would be no mistaking Pom Pom even if I saw no one else. How are you, Paulette? How is Mlle. Lucie? Ciel! but I have had a time finding you!”