“I am sorry, ma tante, but I am not feeling very well to-day. It will pass.”
“I hope so. Young people have no business not to feel well. Otherwise what is the good of youth?”
“It is true,” Jeanne assented.
But what, she thought, was indeed the good of youth, in these terrible days of war? Her own was but a panorama of death…. And now one more figure, this time one of youth too, had joined it.
Toinette came in.
“Ma’amselle Jeanne, there are two English officers downstairs who wish to speak to you.”
“What do they want?” Jeanne asked wearily.
“They do not say. They just ask for Ma’amselle Bossière.”
“They never leave one in peace, ces gens-là,” grumbled Aunt Morin. “If they want more concessions in price, do not let them frighten you. Go to Monsieur le Maire to have it arranged with justice. These people would eat the skin off your back. Remember, Jeanne.”