This was the surprise Madame Dort had prepared for Fritz—a pleasant one, wasn’t it, with which to welcome him home?
Chapter Twelve.
Family Councils.
“I have to thank you, dear mother, for this!” said Fritz, with an affectionate smile, to Madame Dort. “How did you contrive such a pleasant surprise?”
“You told me of your trouble, my son,” she replied; “so I did my best to help you under the circumstances.”
“And you, little traitress,” exclaimed he, turning to Madaleine. “How could you keep me in suspense all those weary weeks that have elapsed since the year began?”
“I did not think you cared so much,” said she defiantly.
“Cared!” he repeated.