"That makes no difference, I tell you; she will learn. How old is she?"
"Well! she might be about eighteen; but she's strong and solid; she'd make two of you."
"So much the better. With a strong girl in the house, we shall not be afraid if we are attacked. Tell me, Père Ledrux, do you think that she will be able to come to us as soon as we come back? I would like to have her, for then she could help us to clean house and put everything to rights. And then, I admit that, for the first few days, I shall be a little timid if we two are alone."
"Ah! my dear! it seems that I am to be the sensible one here!"
"Oh! don't you pretend to be brave; you're afraid of mice!"
"That's very different; mice climb everywhere."
"Tell me, Père Ledrux, can we count upon this girl for the day of our arrival?"
"Why, you see, I can't answer as if I was her, or as if I was her uncle; but I'll tell you what you can do: while you're here, just go and talk to Poucette; then you'll know what to expect, and whether you can count on her."
"You are right; that's the better way. But where shall we find this Poucette?"
"Pardi! at her uncle's, her aunt's husband's. It ain't very far out in the country; I'll show you the way if you want me to."