"You bet,—they learned in Boston from Acajens. Biddy, what makes yeh come back? Yer a big goose not to stay with the Englishman."
Bidiane surveyed her aunt disapprovingly. "Could I live always depending on him? No, I wish to work hard, to earn some money,—and you, are you not going to pay him for this fine house?"
"God knows, he has money enough."
"But we mus' pay back," said Claude, smiting the table with his fist. "I ain't got much larnin', but I've got a leetle idee, an' I tell you, maw,—don' you spen' the money in that stockin'."
His wife's fat shoulders shook in a hearty laugh.
His face darkened. "You give that to Biddy."
"Yes," said his niece, "give it to me. Come now, and get it, and show me the house."
Mrs. Watercrow rose resignedly, and preceded the girl to the kitchen. "Let's find Claudine. She's a boss cook, mos' as good as Rose à Charlitte. Biddy, be you goin' to stay along of us?"
"I don't know," said the girl, gaily. "Will you have me?"