ver saw, and the
fine hair under her picturesque cap gray at thirty with much care.

I saw then where Marie got the brightness that seemed to shine in every
feature of her little face, for the mother's coming was like a ray of
sunshine in that dark place, and she had a friendly word and look for
every one.

Our little arrangement was soon made, and we left them all smiling and
nodding as if the few francs we were to pay would be a fortune to them.

Early next morning we were wakened by Francoise, the maid, who came up
to announce that the goat's milk had arrived. Then we heard a queer,
quick, tapping sound on the stairs, and to our great amusement,
Nannette walked into the room, straight up to my bedside, and stood
there looking at me with her mild yellow eyes as if she was quite used
to seeing night-caps. Marie followed with a pretty little bowl in her
hand, and said, laughing at our surprise, 'See, dear mademoiselle; in
this way I make sure that the milk is quite fresh and warm;' and
kneeling down, she milked the bowl full in a twinkling, while Nannette
quietly chewed her cud and sniffed at a plate of rolls on the table.

The warm draught was delicious, and we drank each our portion with much
merriment.

'It is our custom,' said Francoise; who stood by with her arms folded,
and looked on in a lofty manner.

'What had you for your own breakfast?' I asked, as I caught Marie's eye
hungrily fixed on the rolls and some tempting little cakes of chocolate
left from our lunch the day before.

'My good bread, as usual, mademoiselle, also sorrel salad and--and
water,' answered Marie, as if trying to make the most of her scanty
meal.

'Will you eat the rolls and put the chocolate in your pocket to nibble
at school? You must be tired with this long walk so early.'

She hesitated, but could not resist; and said in a low tone, as she held
the bread in her hand without eating it,--

'Would mademoiselle be angry if I took it to Bebe? She has never tasted
the beautiful white bread, and it would please her much.'

I emptied the plate into her basket, tucked in the chocolate, and added
a gay picture for baby, which unexpected treasures caused Marie to clasp
her hands and turn quite red with delight.

After that she came daily, and we had merry times with old Nannette and
her little mistress, whom we soon learned to love, so busy, blithe, and
grateful was she.

We soon found a new way to employ her, for the boy who drove