“Perhaps—but no, I do not wish you to. If there is another reason I will tell you when you come to go.”
“More and more mysterious. Very well, you must not forget to tell me.”
Lucie knew that this was not likely. She held fast to the little parcel all the way home, and could scarcely wait to show the tiny figures to Odette after Victor had left. “You will help me, Odette?”
“To be sure, and perhaps I can make a pair, too. There might be a soldier to whom I could give them,” Odette returned. “To be sure I know of no one now, but he might come my way, and it is just as well to be prepared.” She laughed gleefully.
Lucie was very impatient till the morning’s work was out of the way, Paulette off for the day, and Odette ready to sit down with her. “It is like playing with dolls again, isn’t it?” she said.
“But it is much more to the purpose,” declared Odette, sorting out the materials.
“There appears to be quite enough for two sets,” said Lucie, “so we can divide, which will be very nice. You can have half to pay for helping me.”
“But you might want another pair, for your father, for instance.”
Lucie had not thought of this, and was not quite sure whether her father would be frivolous enough to appreciate the attention. She considered the matter while Odette busied herself in selecting what was needed for Nenette and what for Rintintin. After a moment she looked up, bunching the stuffs in her nimble little fingers. “These will be more than enough,” she decided. “I think with economy one could get out another couple.”
“That would be fine,” cried Lucie, “so let us begin. How should one do it?”