"Yes, yes!" said Blondel. "It is quite near the park gate."
"Well, as I was hurrying along, I heard a great splash, as though something had fallen into the pool by the fountain. I looked and saw this little fellow struggling in the water. I ran and pulled him out. He was almost drowned."
"Did he say anything, father?" asked Charlot.
"Oh, no! He was senseless; but I knew he wasn't drowned. I thought of the big fire in the queen's kitchen, and knew that the cook would never allow a half-drowned child to be carried into that fine place. Then I thought of our own warm little house, and how snug we could make him until he came to his senses again. So I took him in my arms and ran home as fast as I could."
"The poor, dear child!" said Mrs. Jacquot. "I wonder who he is."
"He shall be our little brother," said Blondel; and both the boys clapped their hands very softly.
In a little while the child awoke. He seemed to feel quite well and strong. He sat up in the bed and looked around.
"You want your mother, don't you?" said Mrs. Jacquot. "She must be very uneasy about you. Tell us who she is, and we will carry you to her." "There is no hurry about that," said the child.
"But they will be looking for you."
"So much the better, let them look. My mother will not be worried. She has other things to do, and no time to attend to me."