CHAPTER V
LITTLE SISTER OF A STAR
The next day Helia was still sleeping when Sœurette aroused her. The little one was trotting along the carpet in her bare feet, talking and laughing to herself in the sunny room. It was her great happiness in the morning to be up first and take her big sister by surprise. She climbed on the bed and awoke her with a good kiss on the cheek.
“Ah, how you frightened me!” cried Helia, pretending fear.
Sœurette burst into laughter.
“Let me lie beside you; I’ll let you sleep!”
“Are you sleeping?” the little one asked a moment later. “Ah, you see, you’re not sleeping. Eh bien! tell me a story!”
“You know,” replied Helia, “if you’re not good you sha’n’t do the trapeze to-day.”
This threat quieted Sœurette.
Helia did not wish to make a gymnast of her. Ah, no! She dreamed of other things for her—anything except that! But she had taught her a few turns to develop her, and the little girl took the greatest pleasure in it.
Soon, won by the warmth of the bed, Sœurette fell asleep. Helia arose gently and finished waking herself with an invigorating bath in cold water. Then she put on her great peignoir, tying the girdle around her waist. To keep herself supple she went through two or three of her flections, bending herself backward, forward, turning her bust on her haunches, breathing again and again long and deep. The sleeves of her peignoir flew loose as she raised her arms, like a statuette from Tanagra come to life.