Then he said, "You could do so, too. You and the singing bird could earn great sums of money wandering about and singing. Why not go?"
Philippe started. Such a thing had never entered his mind. Though he had dreamed of adventure and travel, it had been only a dream.
"Oh, I couldn't, sir," he answered. "My mother would not let me go."
"Ha, ha!" laughed the man good-naturedly. "It would not be hard to persuade her. Tell her that Zelie and I will take you with us and you will be as safe and comfortable as you are at home."
Philippe wrinkled his brow. Then he began to prepare to go home. Somehow, this plan was a little startling. Still, it did tempt him.
He seemed to like the man much better today. Zelie, too, was a splendid companion. All the way home Philippe thought hard.
As the days passed, he grew to like Zelie and her father more and more. Zelie showed Philippe many delightful souvenirs from many parts of Belgium. She had also journeyed to other countries and spoke of those lands.
She was always sweet and happy. But Philippe sometimes wondered why there was a frightened look in her eyes. That frightened look came when she was with her father. She seemed to lose it when she sat talking with Philippe.