“I’m not hard to pleathe; I’ve thlept on thraw more than onth.”
Virginie nudged Cézarine and added hastily:
“Oh, yes! in the country—as a joke—just for sport.”
“Yeth, and I rather like it; it ith great fun—it prickth.”
“Oh! I don’t propose that you shall be pricked,” said Mère Fourcy; “I’ll fix up a bed for you in the little back chamber.”
“Don’t put yourself out in the least, dear aunt, I beg; the pleasure of staying with you, of seeing the spectacle of a village party, is all we want,” said Virginie. But the old woman turned a deaf ear and went to prepare a chamber for her guests, while Denise lighted a great lamp to illuminate the living-room; for it was growing dark, and the party would soon begin.
During these preparations Virginie whispered to her friend:
“These good people take us for princesses.”
“Well, it theemth to me that I cut a pretty good figure.”
“Yes, but don’t make stupid remarks at the party. For my part, I like it here very much; I would willingly spend a fortnight here.”