"And that if he--Monsieur Lebrenn," added Dupont, hesitating like one hunting for a word; and then having found it, he proceeded saying: "Say to your master that, if he did not go this morning to inspect his _supply of grain_--you catch those words: _his supply of grain_--he should not go there before seeing Dupont. Can you remember that, my child?" "Yes, monsieur. But if you would like to leave a note for Monsieur Lebrenn--" "Not at all!" answered Dupont impatiently. "That's unnecessary--only tell him--" "Not to go and inspect his supply of grain before seeing Monsieur Dupont," Jeanike completed the sentence. "Is that it, monsieur?" "Exactly," the latter answered. "Good-bye, my child." So saying, he went away in hot haste. "Well, now, Monsieur Lebrenn, it seems, is also a groceryman," observed Gildas in amazement to his companion. "He seems to keep supplies of grain in store." "That's the first I heard of it." "And that man! He looked very much disconcerted. Did you notice him? Oh, Jeanike! There is no doubt about it, this is a puzzling sort of a house." "You have just landed from the country. Everything surprises you. But let me finish my story about the dragoon." "The story of that sparrow-hawk with gold epaulettes and a cockade in his hat, who stopped to look at you through the show-window, Jeanike?" "It was not me he looked at." "Whom, then?" "Mademoiselle Velleda." "Indeed?" "Mademoiselle was busy sewing. She did not notice that the military man was devouring her with his eyes. And I felt so ashamed for her sake that I did not dare notify her that she was being glowered at." "Oh, Jeanike, that reminds me of a song that--" "Let me first come to the end of my story, Gildas. You may then sing your song to me, if you like. The military man--" "The sparrow-hawk--" "Be it so--stood there glowering at mademoiselle with both his eyes aflame." "With his two sparrow-hawk eyes, Jeanike!" "But let me finish. Presently mademoiselle noticed the attention that she was the object of. She colored like a ripe cherry, told me to watch the shop, and withdrew to the room in the rear. And that's not yet all. The next day, at the same hour, the colonel turned up again, but this time in civilian dress, and there he planted himself again at the window. Madam happened to be in the shop, and he did not stay long. Day before yesterday he turned up again without being able to see mademoiselle. Finally, yesterday, Madam Lebrenn being in the shop, he stepped in and asked her--his language was very polite--whether she could furnish him with a certain grade of linen. Madam said she could, and it was agreed that the colonel would come back to-day to close the bargain with Monsieur Lebrenn." "And do you believe, Jeanike, that madam was aware that the military man had come several times before, and peeped through the window?"