I was used to being shouted at, but I did not like this lady to shout at me. She had only to give an order quietly, and every one obeyed her.
In a few minutes the cross-eyed maid came out for me. The little girl was naughty, and would not go to sleep without saying good night.
It was not without pride in my bearing toward the mother that I entered the drawing-room, where the little girl was sitting on the knees of her mother, who was deftly undressing her.
"Here he is," she said. "He has come—this monster."
"He is not a monster, but my boy."
"Really? Very good. Well, you would like to give something to your boy, would n't you?"
"Yes, I should."
"A good idea! I will see to it, and you will go to bed."
"Good-by till to-morrow," said the little girl, holding out her hand to me. "God preserve you till to-morrow!"
The lady exclaimed in surprise: