"Vous êtes fatiguée. I would like to come with you, and carry your cloak and the umbrellas."
"You, indeed!" said Julie. "It would end, wouldn't it, in my carrying you--besides the cloak and the umbrellas?"
Then she knelt down beside the child and took her in her arms.
"Do you love me, Thérèse?"
The child drew a long breath. With her little, twisted hands she stroked the beautiful hair so close to her.
"Do you, Thérèse?"
A kiss fell on Julie's cheek.
"Ce soir, j'ai beaucoup prié la Sainte Vierge pour vous!" she said, in a timid and hurried whisper.
Julie made no immediate reply. She rose from her knees, her hand still clasped in that of the crippled girl.
"Did you put those pictures on my mantel-piece, Thérèse?"