"Now go home at once," said M. Vulfran, "and I'll send the doctor to
you."

"Write a note to Dr. Ruchon," he said, turning to Talouel, "and tell him
to call at Mother Francoise's house; say that the matter is urgent and
he must go there at once."

"Do you want anyone to go with you?" he asked, addressing Rosalie.

"Oh, thank you, Monsieur Vulfran; I have a friend here with me," she
replied.

"She can go with you then, and tell your grandmother that you will be
paid while you are away."

It was Perrine now who felt like crying, but catching Talouel's glance,
she stiffened. It was not until they had passed out of the yard that she
betrayed her emotion.

"Isn't Monsieur Vulfran kind?" she said.

"Yes," replied Rosalie; "he would be all right if he were alone, but
with Skinny he can't be; he hasn't the time and he has a lot to think
about."

"Well, he seemed very kind to you," said little Perrine.

"Oh, yes," Rosalie said, drawing herself up; "I make him think of his
son. My mother was Monsieur Edmond's foster sister."

"Does he think of his son?"

"He thinks of nothing else."

Everybody came to their doors as Rosalie and Perrine passed. Rosalie's
handkerchief was covered with blood. Most of the people were merely
curious, others felt sorry, others were angry, knowing that what had
happened to this girl that day might happen the next day, at any moment,
to their fathers, husbands, and children. Was not everyone in
Maraucourt employed at the factory?

"You come on in with me," said Rosalie, when they reached the house;
"then perhaps Aunt Zenobie won't say much."

But Perrine's presence had no effect upon the terrible aunt. Seeing
Rosalie arrive at such an unusual hour, and noticing that her hand was
wrapped up, she cried out shrilly: "Now, then, you've gone and hurt
yourself, you lazy bones. I bet you did it on purpose."

"Oh, I'm goin' to be paid," retorted Rosalie, scornfully.

"You think so, do you?"

"Monsieur Vulfran told me that I should."

But this information did not appease Aunt Zenobie. She continued to
scold until Mother Francoise, leaving her store, came to see what was
the matter. But the old grandmother, instead of showing anger, put her
arms about Rosalie and said: "Oh, my dearie; you've gone and got hurt."

"Just a little, grandmother ... it's my fingers ... but it ain't much."

"We must have Dr. Ruchon."

"Monsieur Vulfran is going to send him here."

Perrine was about to follo