I was sadly embarrassed. I stammered and stuttered, and finally replied:
"Faith! I really don't remember. The lady told another lady, a friend of hers, who told me, because she knew I wanted some shirts made."
"I am not very skilful, monsieur; and the person I work for must not be very exacting."
"Oh! I am not at all exacting, madame; I want some shirts—to wear in the country. If you had the simplest kind of a pattern to show me."
I took several steps forward; Mignonne allowed me to enter her garret; she seemed to have laid aside her distrust. I was conscious of a secret joy, and, while she was looking in a drawer, I took a chair, saying:
"Excuse me, madame, if I sit down; but I came up rather rapidly, and the stairs are quite steep."
"Pray rest, monsieur; I should have offered you a seat; but my room is not very cheerful, and it never occurs to me to do the honors. Dear me! I can't find any pattern. I remember now that the day before yesterday I returned the last shirts I had to make. But you have brought me a pattern, no doubt?"
"No; I did not think of it."
"But it is absolutely necessary."
"I will bring you one, then."