"For heaven's sake, be careful what you say, and remember to behave decently. What with your Théodore, whom you lug into the conversation at every turn----" "And you lothe yourthelf in your thentences and can't find your way out of them!" "No matter--long sentences are what you want with peasants; they don't understand 'em, but they think they're fine." "Well, I'll thay Théodore ith my huthband and that he'th in the army." As they talked, the ladies reached the farmyard, where the geese, ducks, dog and goat greeted them with a little impromptu concert. "Oh! how I love the country!" cried Virginie, running forward to kiss Coco, while Cézarine did her utmost to keep her shawl out of the dog's mouth. Meanwhile, Mère Fourcy came out to receive the travellers whom her niece had announced as fashionable ladies from Paris, of Monsieur Auguste's acquaintance, and to whom the good woman conceived that she owed the greatest respect. "This is my aunt, madame," said Denise to Virginie; and the latter saluted the old woman with the patronizing air of a woman of fashion, saying: "I am very glad to make the acquaintance of your venerable aunt. Dieu! what an antique cast of countenance! I am very fond of elderly people. Let me embrace you, madame." Having embraced Mère Fourcy, Virginie called Cézarine: "Cousin, come here and let me present you to our excellent aunt." "One moment, pleathe," said Cézarine, "until I get rid of thith mitherable dog of herth, that hath grabbed my cathmere. Oh! I know what the matter ith--day before yethterday I wrapped up a leg of mutton in it----" Virginie coughed to drown Cézarine's words, and the latter at last escaped from the dog and bestowed a regal salutation on Mère Fourcy. "This is my cousin," said Virginie, presenting her friend to Denise's aunt. "I told her about your lovely niece, and she could not resist the desire to make her acquaintance and yours, venerable aunt; we left our hotels and climbed into the wretched chamber vessel called a stage, where we had no other company than a couple of old clowns who smelt of rancid butter. But when we are going to see people we like and esteem, we take a standing jump over all such little annoyances, don't we, cousin?" "Yeth, my dear," Cézarine replied, walking like Semiramis. "It's very kind of you, madame," said Mère Fourcy, "and we appreciate your courtesy. But you must have something to eat." "We have already dined _à la fourchette_, but we don't like to decline." "For my part, I could eat all day long in the country," said Cézarine. The ladies entered the house, and while the table was being laid, Cézarine petted Coco. "What a hanthome boy! what a fine profile!" she exclaimed. "He'll look like Théodore. Ith he yourth, my beauty?" This question was addressed to Denise, who blushed as she replied: "What did you say, madame?"