“Never tha mind if it’s bitter, lass, take th’ tea and let it warm tha well.” As he spoke Humphrey peered at Rosanne anxiously, his round face full of concern. He had rescued her himself and had had her in his care all these long weeks. Her face seemed very white in the grey shadows of the hidden cellar. Marie Josephine and Lisle held out their horn drinking cups for more tea, and then Humphrey filled a cup for himself. He was a little worried about his homespun traveling bag which he had brought with him to Paris, and which Dian was to bring when he came back from a visit to the alley.
“Sit here, Humphrey Trail; there’s room.” Lisle shoved along the wide chest as he spoke and the farmer sat down beside him. He had never heard so much talk going on at one time before in his life. It had seemed, since he had arrived the night before, that everyone wanted to speak at the same time, and that each one said the same things and asked the same questions over and over. Marie Josephine was saying for the third time, “I’m going to see maman at Great-aunt Hortense’s to-day!” Well, that was a task that had been left for Dian, telling Marie Josephine that her mother was a prisoner and that her aunt had died. Part of the telling Lisle did at once.
“Great-aunt Hortense died some weeks ago, Marie Josephine,” he said.
She looked at him, her black eyes wide with astonishment. He was growing more used to her wild, unkempt appearance, but he still grinned every time he looked at her.
“Poor Great-aunt Hortense! How she must miss everything! She did so love to be in it all, never wanted to be left out of anything, even our children’s parties! Great-aunt Hortense gone—why—it makes everything seem different!”
“Everything is different.” As he spoke, Lisle stood up and went over to Humphrey, who had put the cover on his precious little tin of tea. “I must talk with you, Humphrey Trail.” he said, and drew the farmer along to the far end of the room. “It’s no use,” he went on, speaking in low tones, a precaution entirely unnecessary, for the two girls were deep in the account of their various adventures. “I simply must get into a disguise and go out on to the streets. I can’t stay here any longer, when my mother is a prisoner!”
Humphrey answered him: “Tha went out once almost to tha death. Th’art a brave lad but tha needs caution. Ha’ patience now until th’ shepherd can best find a way for us all to help. He found tha when I was fair distracted.”
Lisle put a hand on each of Humphrey’s shoulders and smiled across at him.
“Humphrey Trail, Humphrey Trail!” he exclaimed. “I am glad I have you for a friend. What can we ever do for you, after all you have done for us!”
Humphrey’s answer surprised him beyond measure.