"The walls of Madame Germain's kitchen were somewhat smoke-stained, for in cold or stormy weather it is, of course, impossible to keep the smoke of the great open chimneys altogether in its proper channel. But once a year it was whitewashed, and just at this season, the end of the summer, when the weather had been better for several months, it looked fresh and clean. "Madame Germain was sitting by a table near the window, arranging Edmee's tapestry frame, which the little girl had left behind her the last time to have a mistake which she had made put right. She had already cleared up all remains of their dinner, though the big pot was simmering slowly by the fire, reminding one that supper and soup were to come. "`So there you are, my child,' said the good woman; `I was just expecting you. See, here is where you made the wrong stitch--I have put it all right. You must get on with it, my child, if it is to be ready for my lady's birthday.' "`Yes, I know,' said Edmee, sitting down with a rather disconsolate air. `Nanette,' she added, rather less courteously than she usually spoke, `you may go; I don't want you; Pierre will bring me home.' "`Very well, Mademoiselle,' said Nanette; `of course I was only waiting for Mademoiselle's pleasure.' "Madame Germain looked rather anxiously at Edmee when the maid had left her. "`I don't mean to be cross,' said the little girl, `but she troubles me, Mother Germain. She would chatter all the way, and I didn't want to talk. Mamma Germain, there is something very much the matter; you must tell me what it is, for you know. I saw it in Monsieur the Cure's face, and even, it seemed to me, in the look of the villagers, as I passed. I am so unhappy; tell me what it is. Mamma said I might ask you,' and the child pushed aside her embroidery frame and knelt down beside her old friend, leaning her elbows on Madame Germain's knees." CHAPTER SIX. "Mother Germain stroked back the fair hair from Edmee's forehead. "`My lady said I might tell you?' she said slowly, `my dear, do not look so unhappy. It is no such very news. It is only what we have always known would have to be, sooner or later. You are growing a big girl, Edmee--indeed, I should no longer call you thus by your name.' "`Ah yes, yes, mamma Germain,' interrupted the child; `to you I must always be Edmee.' "Madame Germain smiled.