To Little Billee's indignation, the two incorrigible warriors made the military salute, and the three ladies bowed stiffly and gravely.
And then (to Little Billee's horror this time) one of them happened to look back, and Zouzou actually kissed his hand to her.
"Do you know that lady?" asked Little Billee, very sternly.
"Parbleu! si je la connais! Why, it's my mother! Isn't she nice? She's rather cross with me just now."
"Your mother! Why, what do you mean? What on earth would your mother be doing in that big carriage and at that big house?"
"Parbleu, farceur! She lives there!"
"Lives there! Why, who and what is she, your mother?"
"The Duchesse de la Rochemartel, parbleu! and that's my sister; and that's my aunt, Princess de Chevagné-Bauffremont! She's the 'patronne' of that chic equipage. She's a millionaire, my aunt Chevagné!"
"Well, I never! What's your name, then?"