“What do you mean by other matters?” asked Mrs. Hardy.
“My servant wishes to leave me,” said Eugene. “I shall dismiss her in the morning.”
Mrs. Hardy did not know whether to laugh or to cry. She certainly took a strange interest in this boy. “And what will you do,” she asked, “after the girl goes away?”
“I shall remain here,” said Eugene, “until my letter arrives from France.”
“But you cannot stay alone.”
“Why not, madam?”
“Who ever heard of such a thing?” she said; “you are a mere child. You cannot. Who will cook for you?”
“There are cafés and bake-houses near by,” said Eugene calmly.
Mrs. Hardy stretched an appealing black-gloved hand to him. “Come to us,” she said. “I am here to-day to ask you to make us a long visit. My husband joins with me in this invitation.”