"It is all dark," Philippe added.
Children do not willingly take the part of those who are conquered: it is life that makes them do so. Elizabeth quieted them with difficulty. She was already worrying about her mother-in-law's welcome, and did not want to bring two badly behaved children to see her. Old Fanchette, who opened the door for them, wore a cross face, as she greeted the young woman, but when she saw her thus accompanied, she was wreathed in smiles. Mme. Derize received her in her sweet, gentle way, as if she had not noticed the neglect she had suffered. In this way she prevented any apologies and awkwardness. She admired the rosy cheeks of the two children who were holding back, uncertain as to whether they should obey their instinctive respect for age, or respond to the tenderness she showed them.
"Back again in Grenoble?" she asked Elizabeth.
"Only for a time. We have come to lunch with you, Mother."
Fanchette, who was listening, muttered between her teeth:
"Now we must feed them, the dinner-hunters!"
"You will fare very badly," Mme. Derize replied in her quiet voice, "but so much the worse for you."
"I have brought a pie with me and some of those little strawberries that you liked from the Chamrousse woods."
"Ah, you spoil me."
"Just as if we had nothing to give them to eat!" still grumbled the servant, who made no pretense of being logical.