“And what about Lerne?” said Emma.
I reassured her. He would only come back at 5 o’clock. I guaranteed that. She gave that little cheerful cluck, which is the sob of joy.
Barbe, who was obviously devoted to her, got so uproariously delighted that her whole person took part in the festival.
It was half past twelve. We had four hours before us. I suggested that that was rather short, but “Let us have lunch, will you, dearie?” said she.
I had nothing better to do for the moment, because of Barbe, and I sat down face to face with her.
CHAPTER VII
THUS SPAKE MLLE. BOURDICHET
“Well, my dear,” she said, “now that we have got as far as that, it is no use trying not to begin again, but I entreat you, no imprudences—safety first! Lerne, you know, Lerne! Ah, you don’t know what dangers there are for you—you above all—you especially!”
I saw that she was brooding over the memory of tragic scenes.