Zulma had run forward to meet him. He took hold of both her hands and made her sit down close beside him on the sofa.
—Well, what is the news? How have they received you here? Are you satisfied? Have you had a good dinner?
—Too good, replied Zulma: I am afraid I have spent a deal of money.
—A deal of money! Eh, eh! the good little girl! But you have nothing to pay here, my little puss. Nothing at all to pay, nothing at all. All the expense is my concern, and the more you spend, the better pleased I shall be. Have they not told you that, told you that, told you that?
—You are too kind, Monsieur; but I, what shall I do then for you?
—She is heavenly, eh, eh! But I want nothing, darling, nothing, nothing … except to see your pretty eyes. When we see them once, we have only one wish, and that is to see them again, again, again. I am well paid for the little I have done for you, since I have that pleasure. Yes, yes, yes. We are only too happy for what we can do for a charming little face like yours, and when we have obliged it, we say thank you! That is what I do, my little duck; thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.
—I am very grateful to you….
—That is what I was thinking. I want to kiss you for that kind word. Alas, we come across so many ungrateful people in the world…. What a fine and velvety skin; how soft it is under the lips … again, again…. I could eat it … again…. Ah, you do not want to again. What are you afraid of? I might be your father…. Come, another little kiss for poor papa.
Zulma let him kiss her again.
[PLATE V: THE CALVES. "I want to see them again, again, again."