"Tomorrow, if you like, you may go and see the hot houses where these fruits are grown," said M. Vulfran.
Perrine thanked him and said she would like to.
She had commenced by helping herself discreetly to some cherries. M. Vulfran wished her also to take some apricots, peaches and grapes.
"Take all you want," he said. "At your age I should have eaten all the fruit that is on the table ... if it had been offered to me."
Bastien selected an apricot and peach and placed them before Perrine as he might have done for an intelligent monkey, just to see how the "little animal" would eat.
But despite the delicious fruit, Perrine was very pleased when the dinner came to an end. She hoped that the next day the servants would not stare so much.
"Now you are free until tomorrow," said M. Vulfran, rising from his seat. "It is moonlight, and you can go for a stroll in the garden, or read in the library, or take a book up to your own room."
She was embarrassed, wondering if she ought not to tell M. Vulfran that she would do as he wished. While she stood hesitating she saw Bastien making signs to her which at first she did not understand. He held an imaginary book in one hand and appeared to be turning the pages with the other, then glanced at M. Vulfran and moved his lips as though he were reading. Suddenly Perrine understood. She was to ask if she might read to him.
"But don't you need me, sir?" she said, timidly. "Would you not like me to read to you?"
Bastien nodded his head in approval. He seemed delighted that she had guessed what he had tried to explain.