Auguste opened the door to the child, who had a large bundle which he placed on the bed.
“What’s all this, my friend?” queried Auguste, after he had kissed the little fellow.
“I don’t know, my kind friend; it was Denise that told me to bring it to you. Good-bye; I’m going to feed my goat. You didn’t see her last night; hurry up and dress yourself and come and say good-morning to her.”
When the child had gone, Auguste opened the package, which contained a supply of linen and a paper on which was written:
“Coco gives you this; remember that he didn’t refuse your gifts a long time ago.”
“Dear Denise!” said Auguste; “how thoughtful of her! And to think of her being able to get them so early! She can’t have slept at all—she must have ransacked the village already. If this is the way her friendship works, what would happen if one had her love!”
However, it was a bitter thing to Auguste to accept the girl’s gifts; when one is in the habit of giving, it is hard to make up one’s mind to receive. He overcame at last the feeling of pride that caused him to hesitate; he realized that it would hurt Denise if he refused, and that consideration decided him to accept her presents.
After completing his toilet, Auguste went into the garden and found Denise there. She came to meet him with the most engaging smile, and a look in which there was something more than friendship. Coco ran to Auguste and said:
“Ah! I know you now—this is the way you used to look.”