During tea I saw that my father, the priest, and Pani d'Yves had faces half mysterious, half severe. I confess that a kind of disquiet seized me. Could they have divined something? That was probable; for in every case between us young people things had happened that day which were quite unnatural.
"To-day," said my father, "I have received a letter from thy mother."
"How is mother's health?"
"Perfectly good. But she is troubled about what is happening here. She wants to return soon, but I will not permit her; she must stay two months longer."
"What is mother alarmed about?"
"It is known to thee that small-pox is in the village; I was so incautious as to inform her."
To tell the truth, I did not know that small-pox was prevalent. It may be that I had heard of it, but of course the information had dropped from my ears, as from a wall.
"Will father go to her?" I asked.
"I shall see. We will talk of that."
"It is now nearly a year that the dear woman has been abroad," said the priest.