This won the mother's heart more than even the gifts.
"Blessings on you, my lady!" she cried. "I pray the Lord not to forget
this when a woman's trouble comes on you in your turn! It is a small
child, mademoiselle, but it is not an unhealthy one. See." Inspection
was offered, and eagerly accepted.
Edouard stood looking on at some distance in amazement, mingled with
disgust.
"Ugh!" said he, when she rejoined him, "how could you kiss that nasty
little brat?"
"Dear Edouard, don't speak so of a poor little innocent. Who would pity
them if we women did not? It had lovely eyes."
"Like saucers."
"Yes."
"It is no compliment when you are affectionate to anybody; you overflow
with benevolence on all creation, like the rose which sheds its perfume
on the first-comer."
"If he is not going to be jealous of me next," whined Josephine.
She took him to Rose, and she said, "There, whenever good friends
quarrel, it is understood they were both in the wrong. Bygones are to be
bygones; and when your time comes round to quarrel again, please consult
me first, since it is me you will afflict.
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