“But are we not going home? Why should we not go home?” demanded Hubert.
“It is quite impossible to-night,” said Fred firmly. “Father Jerome would have you back at school again this very night. You cannot go home.”
“Father Jerome? What has he to do with it? I don’t know what you mean, Fred.”
“Was it not he who took you there, when he should have taken you back to your former school again?”
No, Hubert thought not. He did not remember very well about it. But Father Jerome had nothing to do with their going to school. But Frederica had her doubts about it all the same, and hurried on.
“But we cannot go home, because mama is not there, nor papa. But Madame is there, and you may be sure she would not let you even stay one night, but send you back at once, and they would be sure to punish you for coming without leave.”
“It is you they ought to punish, Fred, I think,” said Hubert.
“Ah! wouldn’t they. If they could! And tell me about about Charlie. Where was he?”
“But Hubert knew very little about his brother. They very seldom saw each other. They were not in the same class.”
“And are they good to you? Are you glad to come away?”