reakfast. As
"housekeeper extraordinary" this statement _might_ be believed,
even if it were unlike her to start her ministrations so early.
But no one was disturbed and Sally got her little bundle of provisions
together quickly, since she knew just where the supplies of food were
kept. They had not a great deal, considering the demands that were
constantly being made upon them by the people in the neighborhood who
were less well off, so Sally felt that she had not the right to be
over-generous, and made her selections with due discretion.
It was more than ever her determination to demand that the soldier leave
the chateau at once this morning, if he could be induced to see the
wisdom of such a proceeding, but if not by nightfall.
Also Sally had made up her mind to ask no questions. If the soldier were
arrested later she wished to know as little as possible concerning him.
He had spoken of being captured and of running away from his captors.
This suggested that he was a German or an Austrian who had been taken
prisoner and was trying to effect an escape. If this were true Sally
felt a fierce condemnation of her own cowardly attitude. But was it not
remotely possible that the soldier had committed some offense and had
then run away from his own regiment? However, this point of view was but
little in his favor. As he spoke English with an accent and as foreign
accents were all of an equal mystification to Sally, it was possible
that she need never know his origin.
Outdoors and slipping through the garden, to Sally's surprise and
consternation she nearly ran into old Jean, who appeared to have been up
all night caring for his stock.
He looked like a gnome with his wrinkled skin, his little eyes, his
muddy gray hair and even his clothes almost of a color with the earth.
He was carrying a lantern, but instead of speaking beckoned mysteriously
to Sally to follow him out to Miss Patricia's barn, where a half dozen
cows were now installed.
Not knowing what else to do, Sally stood by until she found herself
presented with a small pail of milk, and still with no comments, for
immediately after Jean went on with his morning's work.
She did not waste time, however, in puzzling over the old servant man.
After drinking a small quantity of the milk, not wishing to throw the
rest away or to return to the house, Sally concluded to take it with her
as a part of her offering. Yet she had no real desire to give
refresh
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