Overwhelmed with joy, Perrine stood before the blind man unable to say a word.
"Why don't you speak?" he said at last.
"I can't ... I don't know what to say ... to thank you," she said. Her voice broke. "I feel so...."
"Yes, yes," he said. "I know how you feel. Your voice tells me that. I am pleased. That is as good as a promise that you will do all you can to give me satisfaction. Now let us change the subject. Have you written to your grandparents?"
"No," said Perrine, hesitatingly; "I ... I did not have any paper."
"Oh, very well. You will be able to find all you need in Monsieur Bendit's office. When you write tell them exactly what position you occupy in my employ. If they have anything better to offer you, they will send for you; if not, they will let you remain here."
"Oh, certainly ... I am sure I shall stay...."
"Yes, I think so. I think it will be best for you. As you will be in the offices, you will be in communication with my employés; you can take my orders to them, and you will also have to go out with me, so in that case you cannot wear your factory clothes, which Monsieur Benoist tells me are rather shabby."
"They are in rags," said Perrine; "but I assure you, sir, it is not because I am lazy or that I don't care...."
"I am sure of that," replied M. Vulfran. "Now, as all that will be changed, you go to the cashier in the counting house, and he will give you a money order. You can go then to Madame Lachaise in the village and get some clothes, some linen, hats and shoes; what you need...."