"Ours gives us kisses," said Charlot.
"Ha! that's nothing. Mine makes the servants wait on me and do as I tell them."
"But our dear mother waits on us herself."
The charcoal man and his wife listened to this little dispute, and said nothing. They were just rising from the table when they heard a great noise in the street. Then there was a knock at the door.
Before Mrs. Jacquot could open it, some one called out, "Is this the house of Jacquot, the charcoal man?"
"That is my tutor," whispered the little stranger. "He has come after me." Then he slipped quickly under the table and hid himself. "Don't tell him I am here," he said softly.
In a few minutes the room was filled with gentlemen. They were all dressed very finely, and some of them carried swords.
A tall man who wore a long red cloak seemed to be the leader of the company. He said to a soldier who stood at the door, "Tell your story again."
"Well," said the soldier, "about two hours ago I was on guard at the gate of the queen's park. This charcoal man, whom I know very well, ran past me with a child in his arms. I did not—"
"That will do, sir," said the man in red. "Now, you charcoal man, where is that child?"