"How?" she ventured, timidly.
"That's a fair question," Zephyr remarked, composedly. "The fact is, I get used to talking to myself and answering a fool according to his folly. It's hard sledding to keep up. You see, a fellow that gets into his store clothes only once a year or so don't know where to hang his thumbs."
Madame looked somewhat puzzled, began a stammering reply, then, dropping her useless efforts, came to her point at once.
"It's about Élise."
Zephyr answered as directly as Madame had spoken.
"Is Élise in trouble?"
"Yes. I don't know what to do." Madame paused and looked expectantly at Zephyr.
"Pierre wants her to marry that Morrison?"
Madame gave a sigh of relief. There was no surprise in her face.
"Pierre says she shall not go to school and learn to despise him and me. He says she will learn to be ashamed of us before her grand friends. Do you think she will ever be ashamed of me?" There was a yearning look in the uncomplaining eyes.