"Not made? Saint Martin of Tours help us! What can you have been doing?"
I was silent.
"I say, what were you doing?" demanded Alix, with a stamp of her foot.
"Never mind. I forgot the maccaroons."
If I had been speaking to any one but Alix, I should have added that I was sorry. But she is always so angry that it seems to dry up any regret on my part.
"You naughty girl!" Alix blazed out. "You very, very naughty girl! There is no possibility of relying on you for one instant. You go dreaming away, and forget everything one tells you. You are silly, silly!"
The tone that Alix put into that last word! It was enough to provoke all the saints in the calendar.
"There will be plenty without them," said I.
"Hold your tongue, and don't give me any impudence!" retorted Alix.
I thought I might have said the same. If Alix would speak more kindly, I am sure I should not get so vexed. I can't imagine what she would say if I were to do something really wicked, for she exhausts her whole vocabulary on my gathering the wrong flowers, or forgetting to make cakes.