“What! is it you, my friend?”
The boy, surprised to be addressed in that way, answered with a smile:
“Do you know me, monsieur?”
The wayfarer sighed, and replied after a moment:
“Yes, I saw you once, long ago, here, on this spot; but at that time, instead of this pretty cottage, there was only an old ruined hovel here! What a transformation has taken place!”
“Oh! it was my good friend who gave me the money for all this; for that’s my house, monsieur, that is; but when he comes back, I’ll thank him ever so much!”
The stranger pressed the child’s hand again, as he continued:
“Won’t you come in? Come, I’ll tell Denise that you’re going to have supper with us.”
“Denise! what, is Denise here?” exclaimed the stranger, detaining the child.
“Yes, monsieur, we’ve lived together ever since her dear aunt died.”