'I haven't heard that,' he said, with some agitation, 'since my father's sister used to sing it me when I was a small lad, up at Augoumat in the mountains near Puy!' Sur le pont d'Avignon Tout le monde y danse en rond; Les beaux messieurs font comme ça, Les beaux messieurs font comme ça. The words were but just distinguishable as Louie sang. They were clipped and mutilated as by one who no longer understood what they meant. But the intonation was extraordinarily French, French of the South, and Barbier could hardly stand still under it. 'Where did you learn that?' he called to her from the door. The girl stopped and looked at him with her bright bird-like glance. But she made no reply. 'Did your mother teach it you?' he asked, coming in. 'I suppose so,' she said indifferently. 'Can you talk any French--do you remember it?' 'No.' 'But you'd soon learn. You haven't got the English mouth, that's plain. Do you know your brother thinks of taking you to Paris?' She started. 'He don't,' she said laconically. 'Oh, don't he. Just ask him then?' Ten minutes later Louie had been put in possession of the situation. As David had fully expected, she took no notice whatever of his suggestion that after all she might not care to come. They might be rough quarters, he said, and queer people about; and it would cost a terrible deal more for two than one. Should he not ask Dora Lomax to take her in for a fortnight? John, of course, would look after the shop. He spoke under the pressure of a sudden qualm, knowing it would be no use; but his voice had almost a note of entreaty in it. 'When do you want to be starting?' she asked him sharply. 'I'll not go to Dora's--so you needn't talk o' that. You can take the money out of what you'll be owing me next month.' Her nostrils dilated as the quick breath passed through them. Barbier was fascinated by the extraordinary animation of the face, and could not take his eyes off her. 'Not for a fortnight,' said David reluctantly, answering her question. 'Barbier's letter says about the tenth of May. There's two country sales I must go to, and some other things to settle.' She nodded. 'Well, then, I can get some things ready,' she said half to herself, staring across the baby into the fire.