“I don’t believe that monthieur ith afraid of the fair thex.”
The neighbor replied with a second bow, so low that he could have picked a coin from the floor with his teeth; then he took a chair and seated himself.
“You’ll take a drink, neighbor Mauflard, won’t you?”
“With pleasure, Mère Fourcy.”
A glass was filled for neighbor Mauflard, and this he emptied after bowing to the whole company; then he settled back in his chair, murmuring:
“That’s good, very good—always the same.”
“Who is neighbor Mauflard?” Virginie asked Aunt Fourcy in a whisper.
“Oh! he’s a very fine man. He used to keep a school in the village; but not long ago he retired, as he didn’t have but two scholars.”
“I’m thorry for that; I’d have thent Hecuba to him.”
“What does she mean by Hecuba?”