Dupont, content to know that young Colinet was to remain only a short time in Paris, took his hat and said to his neighbor: "I leave you with your old friend. You must have many things to say to each other." "I will not keep you," Georgette replied, with a smile. "She won't keep me! parbleu! I can see that for myself!" said Dupont, as he took his leave. "She never does keep me! Oh! this is too long a job! I am drying up! That young Colinet kissed her more than ten times! It's high time that my turn should come!" V AN INGENUOUS YOUTH The next afternoon, when Dupont called upon his neighbor, he found Colinet there, apparently no less shy and embarrassed than before, sitting in front of Georgette and watching her work, without a word; but with the air of being perfectly happy simply to look at her. "Well, Monsieur Colinet," said Dupont, "have you been enjoying yourself? have you got a little acquainted with Paris?" "I've been to see the animals in the Jardin des Plantes, monsieur; but I like my sheep better than the lions and tigers. I wonder why they give them such fine cages, when my sheep often don't have any house even." "Tigers are kept in cages, Monsieur Colinet, because they are vicious and people are afraid of 'em. As for your sheep, as they never injure anybody, nobody worries about them, and they're allowed to feed where they will. That's worth something in itself." "My sheep don't always find enough to eat in the fields; but I saw them give great big chunks of meat to your ugly tigers." "For the very same reason! They're afraid of 'em, so they must keep 'em well fed." "You must go to the play while you're in Paris, Colinet." "With you, Mamzelle Georgette?" "Yes. Monsieur Dupont here will take us both." "The devil! it seems that I must amuse Monsieur Colinet too," thought Dupont. "But, after all, I prefer that to having her go alone with him." "Will you take us to the theatre to-night?" Georgette asked Dupont. "Why, certainly, mademoiselle, with the greatest pleasure! Am I not always at your service, and too happy if I can do anything to please you?" "Yes, monsieur; I know that you are extremely obliging; but I should dislike to abuse your good nature." "You cannot put it to the test too often. You know my sentiments for you, for I make no mystery of them; I am your loyal knight!" Young Colinet stared first at Dupont, then at Georgette, as if he were trying to fathom their meaning. The pretty embroiderer laughed heartily, as she said: "Then we'll go to the Cirque-National. They give fairy plays there, with transformation scenes;--you'll like that, Colinet." "I'll go wherever you say, Mamzelle Georgette." "It's strange," thought Dupont, "that she addresses this young man _thou_, while he uses _you_. After all, that's better than if it was the other way."