He considered her an instant and then hustled her into the kitchen and shut the door. "Let us consult a moment, my petite ménagère," were his last words to be overheard. In the kitchen he took her hands in his.
"Look here, Fouchette! I owe my happiness to you. Everything, mind you,—everything!"
"But have I not been happy, too?"
"There! For what you have done for me I could not repay you in a lifetime, little one."
"Then don't try, Monsieur Jean," she retorted, as if annoyed.
"And I'm going to ask you to increase the obligation. It is that you will continue to preserve the character you have assumed,—just for this occasion, you know. It will save me from——"
"Ah, çà! It is not much, Monsieur Jean," she interrupted, with a seraphic smile. "To be your servant, monsieur, is—— I mean, to do anything to please you is happiness."
"You are good, Fouchette,—so good! And when I think that I have no way to repay you——"
"Have I laid claim to reward?" she interposed, suddenly withdrawing her hands. "Have I asked for anything?"
"No, no! that is the worst of it!"