Several weeks more passed by. Well treated as they were, still the boys had a longing to return to England, though the opportunity of doing so appeared as far off as ever.
They were in the house one afternoon, laughing and joking merrily with Jeannette, while Dame Turgot was away at the neighbouring town to market, when the door opened, and she entered, with a look of alarm on her countenance.
“Quick, quick, come here!” she said; and seizing them both by the arms, she dragged them into the little inner room.
“Pull off your clothes and jump into bed!” she exclaimed. “Whatever you hear, don’t move or speak, but pretend to be fast asleep.”
They obeyed her; and snatching up their jackets and trousers, she hurried from the room, locking the door behind her.
She had just time to tumble their clothes into a chest, when a loud knocking was heard at the door. She opened it, and several soldiers, under the command of a sergeant, entered.
The boys guessed who they were by their voices, and the noise they made when grounding their muskets.
“Well, messieurs,” said Dame Turgot, with perfect composure, “and what do you want here?”
“We come in search of prisoners. It is reported that you have some concealed in your house,” said the sergeant.
“Ma foi! that is a good joke! I conceal prisoners indeed!” exclaimed the dame, laughing. “Pray who are these notable prisoners?”