Mrs. Massanet had the peculiar French accent of the province of Lorraine, and Richard frequently experienced difficulty in understanding her, but her motherly way soon put him at ease, and in a few minutes he felt perfectly at home.
"This is my sister," said Frank, as a tall, dark-eyed girl of sixteen entered. "Mattie, this is Richard Dare."
"Frank has been telling us of you," said Mattie Massanet, as she took Richard's hand. "We talked you all over last night," she added, with a merry twinkle of her eye.
"I'm sure it couldn't have been a very bad talk if you had a hand in it," said Richard gallantly.
They were soon at the table, and having by a lucky chance (or was it the girl's natural tact?) struck the right vein, the conversation became quite animated, and soon all were on very good terms.
"I like you verra mouch," said Mrs. Massanet, when Richard had finished, "and I shall be pleased to have you as a boarder—eef you like ze diner."
"Thank you, Mrs. Massanet. I shall be thankful to have you take me.
I know it will feel quite like a home."
"Ve make zat so. Ve keep no hotel garni even—only for one."
"Thank you," returned Richard. He did not understand the French, which means a lodging-house. "Can I come to-night?"
"Oh, yees."