Madame thanked the Major and smiled.
"You are kind," she said. "I am always happy here with you and with your little dear ones. But this time my visit is to be short. I must leave for Paris to-morrow."
"So soon? That is a pity," the Major said.
"No," smiled Madame Villard. "My little Margot's birthday is coming soon. I have promised to return and see to a very important part of her celebration."
Madame Villard's eyes were now twinkling. "Can you guess what that very important part might be for a young miss and her birthday?"
"No, I am afraid I do not know," the Major said.
"Well, dear Major, the young miss is to have a party frock which Grandmother will give her. Now do you admit that is a most important part of any young lady's birthday celebration?"
"Yes," laughed Major d'Artrot, "very important and serious!"
Then Major d'Artrot pulled a little card out of his pocket and showed it to Madame.
"And since Mademoiselle (mȧd-mwȧ-zĕl´) Margot is to have a beautiful frock," he said, "why do you not take her to this old friend of mine who makes some of the loveliest frocks in Paris?"