"That's not so bad," remarked Timm.
"I must hear all the day: Mademoiselle, do this! Mademoiselle, do that! And the evening, when I am tired that I cannot keep open the eyes, I must read the stupid old books till madam has the kindness to say: C'est assez!--Non, madame, ce n'est pas assez; c'est trop--mille fois trop!" said the lively little lady, and stamped with the foot.
"You seem to have a lively temper," said Mr. Timm. "But that is all right; relieve yourself--that makes the heart lighter--but if the baroness has so much confidence in you, I suppose you are in high favor with her?"
"Au contraire! She me uses, because she me needs. She would give me my congé rather to-day than to-morrow. She me likes, because I not need much sleep and I eat little."
"Well, then, I shall never be in favor with her," said Mr. Timm. "But you, poor child, are in a horrible position here. Much work and no thanks; early rising, and, in return, late retiring; all day threshing corn, like the good-natured beast in the Bible, but no privileges granted, as there recorded--who can stand that? You ought to get married, mademoiselle?"
Marguerite shrugged her shoulders. "Who will marry me? Je suis si pauvre et si laide!"
"What is that?"
"I say: I am poor and I am ugly!"
"I grant the former," said Mr. Timm; "the other is vile slander. You ugly? Au contraire: you are pretty, mademoiselle, très pretty, very belle----"
"Vouz plaisantez, monsieur."