"Oh, please, sir, I don't want to go quickly, I assure you," she said, nervously.
"That's a good thing; let her just trot."
There was a great surprise in the streets of Maraucourt when the villagers saw the head of the firm seated beside a little girl wearing a hat of black straw and a black dress, who was gravely driving old Coco at a straight trot instead of the zigzag course that William forced the old animal to take in spite of herself. What was happening? Where was this little girl going? They questioned one another as they stood at the doors, for few people in the village knew of her and of the position that M. Vulfran had given her.
When they arrived at Mother Françoise's house, Aunt Zenobie was leaning over the gate talking to two women. When she caught sight of Perrine she stared in amazement, but her look of astonishment was quickly followed by her best smile, the smile of a real friend.
"Good day, Monsieur Vulfran! Good day, Mademoiselle Aurelie!" she called out.
As soon as the carriage had passed she told her neighbors how she had procured the fine position for the young girl who had been their boarder. She had recommended her so highly to Skinny.
"She's a nice girl, though," she added, "and she'll not forget what she owes us. She owes it all to us."
If the villagers had been surprised to see Perrine driving M. Vulfran, Talouel was absolutely stunned.
"Where is William?" he cried, hurrying down the steps of the veranda to meet his employer.
"Sent off for continual drunkenness," said M. Vulfran, smiling.