Claudine sprang up.
“What is the matter?” she cried, alarmed at her child’s face.
Andrée at once began to cry hysterically.
“Stop, child!” said her mother. “What is it? What has happened?”
Andrée sank into a chair by the table and leaned her head on her arms, shaking with sobs.
“It’s too much!” she cried.
“Go away, Rose!” said Claudine. “Go into the kitchen and make Mrs. Stephens a nice hot cup of tea!”
Rose vanished.
“What is it, Andrée?” she asked again. “Don’t torture me so! What has happened?”
Andrée sat up suddenly and began to laugh through her sobs.