"Well, how do you think I look? I haven't changed much, have I?" And then without giving him time to answer, she went on: "I have a dreadful father who will keep saying I don't look well, and who is most obstinate. It's no good telling him I am better; he will have it that I am not. When I am quite well again, you'll see--he'll insist on fancying that I am still an invalid." Denoisel was looking at her wasted arm, just above the wrist. "Oh, I'm a little thinner," said Renee, quickly buttoning her sleeve, "but that's nothing; I shall soon pick up again. Do you remember our good story about that, papa? It made us laugh so. It was at a farmer's house at Tetevuide's--that dinner, you remember, don't you? Only imagine it, Denoisel, the good fellow had been keeping some shrimps for us for two years. Just as we were sitting down to table, papa said, 'Oh, but where's your daughter, Tetevuide? She must dine with us. Isn't she here?' 'Oh, yes, sir.' 'Well, fetch her in, then, or I shall not touch the soup.' Thereupon the father went into the next room, and we heard talking and crying going on for the next quarter of an hour. He came back alone, finally. 'She will not come in,' he said, 'she says she's too thin.' But, papa," Renee went on, suddenly changing the subject, "for the last two days mamma has never been out of this room. Now that I have a new nurse, suppose you take her out for a stroll?" * * * * * "Ah, Renee dear," said Denoisel, when they were alone, "you don't know how glad I am to see you like this--to find you so gay and cheerful. That's a good sign, you know; you'll soon be better, I assure you. And with that good father of yours, and your poor mother, and your stupid old Denoisel to look after you--for I'm going to take up my abode here, for a time, with your permission." "You, too, my dear boy? Now do just look at me!" And she held out her two hands for him to help her to turn over, so that she could face him and have the daylight full on her. "Can you see me now?" The smile had left her eyes and her lips, and all animation had suddenly dropped from her face like a mask.