“Many people, Madame,” replied Jeanne somewhat shortly.
“It seems to have helped you then. Did anything happen?”
“Nothing,” returned the girl drearily, her old look of hopelessness returning for she feared that Madame suspected something. “What could happen?”
“Don’t give me any impudence, Jeanne. I am not in the mood for it. Go at once to your room,” commanded her aunt and Jeanne gladly obeyed.
As soon as possible she crept softly downstairs and succeeded in getting out of the house unobserved by either Madame or Mrs. La Chaise and ran eagerly to the smokehouse.
Snowball was waiting for her.
“Missy,” she said as soon as the girl reached her side, “hab yer seen yer brudder lately?”
“No, Snowball. They won’t let me,” said Jeanne sadly.
“Den yer had bettah see him as soon as yer can, fer dere’s a powerful lot of meanness gwine on.”
“What do you mean?” cried Jeanne apprehensively.