"Poor little girl," he murmured.
CHAPTER XXIV
GETTING AN EDUCATION
THE next morning, when Theodore and Casimir entered their uncle's office to attend to the correspondence, they were amazed to see Perrine installed at her table as though she were a fixture there.
Talouel had taken care not to tell them, but he had contrived to be present when they entered so as to witness their discomfiture. The sight of their amazement gave him considerable enjoyment. Although he was furious at the way this little beggar girl had imposed, as he thought, upon the senile weakness of an old man, it was at least some compensation to know that the two nephews felt the same astonishment and indignation that he had.
Evidently they did not understand her presence in this sacred office, where they themselves only remained just the time necessary to report on the business of which they were in charge.
Theodore and Casimir looked in dismay at one another, but they did not dare ask questions. Talouel left the room the same time as they.
"You were surprised to see that girl in the boss' office, eh?" he said, when they got outside.