And she ran to greet me, saying:
"I knew the cold would not keep you from coming."
I was so happy that I could not speak. I took off my cloak, which I hung upon a nail on the wall, with my mittens; I took off Monsieur Goulden's great shoes, and felt myself pale with joy.
I would have said something agreeable, but could not; suddenly I exclaimed:
"See here, Catharine; here is something for your fête."
She ran to the table. Aunt Grédel also came to see the present. Catharine untied the cord and opened the box. I was behind them, my heart bounding—I feared that the watch was not pretty enough. But in an instant, Catharine, clasping her hands, said in a low voice:
"How beautiful! It is a watch!"
"Yes," said Aunt Grédel; "it is beautiful; I never saw so fine a one. One would think it was silver."
"But it is silver," returned Catharine, turning toward me inquiringly.
Then I said: