"Well, Dudus don't either," replied Jeanne; "but as we've got you, you see, it all depends on you to get us the adventures. I know you can, if you like."
Dudu shook his head.
"No," he said, "there are many things I can't do. But come out on to the roof, we can talk there just as well."
He just turned towards the door by which he had entered, and it opened of itself. He hopped through, and the children followed him. They found themselves, as Dudu had said, on the roof of the house, of a part of the house, that is to say. It seemed more like the roof of a little tower or turret.
Hugh and Jeanne stood for a moment or two in silence, looking up at the brilliant show of stars overhead. It was not cold, the air seemed peculiarly fresh and sweet, as if it were purer and finer than that lower down.
"It's rather nice up here, eh?" said Dudu.
"Yes, very," replied Hugh. "We're very much obliged to you for bringing us up here. Aren't we, Jeanne?"
"Yes," said Jeanne, "not counting fairies and adventures that's to say, it's very nice up here."
"I often come up here at night," said Dudu. "I wonder how many thousand times I've been up here."
"Are you so very old, Dudu?" said Jeanne, "as old as the white lady?"