And dropping her sunshade, Nana crouched down in the mire under the full force of the downpour. With drenched hands she began gathering the fruit among the leaves. But Zoé in the meantime brought no plate, and when the young woman rose to her feet again she was frightened. She thought she had seen a shadow close to her. “It’s some beast!” she screamed. But she stood rooted to the path in utter amazement. It was a man, and she recognized him. “Gracious me, it’s Baby! What ARE you doing there, baby?” “’Gad, I’ve come—that’s all!” replied Georges. Her head swam. “You knew I’d come through the gardener telling you? Oh, that poor child! Why, he’s soaking!” “Oh, I’ll explain that to you! The rain caught me on my way here, and then, as I didn’t wish to go upstream as far as Gumières, I crossed the Choue and fell into a blessed hole.” Nana forgot the strawberries forthwith. She was trembling and full of pity. That poor dear Zizi in a hole full of water! And she drew him with her in the direction of the house and spoke of making up a roaring fire. “You know,” he murmured, stopping her among the shadows, “I was in hiding because I was afraid of being scolded, like in Paris, when I come and see you and you’re not expecting me.” She made no reply but burst out laughing and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Up till today she had always treated him like a naughty urchin, never taking his declarations seriously and amusing herself at his expense as though he were a little man of no consequence whatever. There was much ado to install him in the house. She absolutely insisted on the fire being lit in her bedroom, as being the most comfortable place for his reception. Georges had not surprised Zoé, who was used to all kinds of encounters, but the gardener, who brought the wood upstairs, was greatly nonplused at sight of this dripping gentleman to whom he was certain he had not opened the front door. He was, however, dismissed, as he was no longer wanted. A lamp lit up the room, and the fire burned with a great bright flame. “He’ll never get dry, and he’ll catch cold,” said Nana, seeing Georges beginning to shiver. And there were no men’s trousers in her house! She was on the point of calling the gardener back when an idea struck her. Zoé, who was unpacking the trunks in the dressing room, brought her mistress a change of underwear, consisting of a shift and some petticoats with a dressing jacket. “Oh, that’s first rate!” cried the young woman. “Zizi can put ’em all on. You’re not angry with me, eh? When your clothes are dry you can put them on again, and then off with you, as fast as fast can be, so as not to have a scolding from your mamma. Make haste! I’m going to change my things, too, in the dressing room.” Ten minutes afterward, when she reappeared in a tea gown, she clasped her hands in a perfect ecstasy. “Oh, the darling! How sweet he looks dressed like a little woman!”