“That’s the funny thing: they all wanted me to go to the theater, and of course I was delighted,—just imagine!—and we were to meet at different places; and then we talked of other things, and they all took such an interest in Dodor and asked so many questions all about how I lived; and one, the one with the red rosette, gave me a great five-franc piece—he said it was a present for Dodor. But the funny thing was, when we reached home they had forgotten about the theater, and said they had other engagements, and that they would come some other evening. The old gentleman with the rosette gave me another five-franc piece for myself, only this one was in gold, a very small one, and he told me to remember and always be a good girl, for the angels were watching me; and I said I would, and he kissed my hand and went away. But I never saw them again, for one never meets the same person twice in an omnibus, you know.” Toto assented. He was thinking of this lark that flew so mysteriously between Célestin and sin, and lived in a parrot cage. They had crossed the Place de la Concorde by this, crossed the Pont de la Concorde, and were heading for the Eiffel Tower. They were walking quickly, too, for was it not to the relief of Dodor, pining for his groundsel, or whatever larks are fed upon? The exercise began to tell upon Célestin. She coughed a little, and put her hand to her chest high up near the collar-bone. “You are not strong?” “Oh, yes, I am very strong, only my chest pains me at times, and I cough at nights sometimes—a little, not much.” “Célestin,” said Toto, in a very serious voice, “I want you to meet me again. Will you?” “Oh, dear!” sighed Célestin; “I forgot that we had to part.” “But we shall meet again.” “When?” “Could you meet me to-morrow morning?” “Yes.” “At eight?” “Yes.” “At the corner just where the Champs Élysées joins the Place de la Concorde?” “Yes—oh, yes! And you will be there?” “I will. And, Célestin, look here: we are not rich, you know, and we ought to help each other. Look here.” He took out a handful of coppers and some silver pieces, all that he had remaining from the five-franc piece. “We will divide, and take half each.” “No—oh, no!” “Yes,” said Toto, “you must.” “But you will want it.” “No, I shan’t. You want it more than I do. Besides,” continued the Prince, “I have not a lark to keep up.” They divided, squabbling over an odd sou, and when the accounts were settled they walked on. “How good you are!” said Célestin, almost in tears at the manifold bounties God was heaping upon her this fine April morning. “I will put it in the money-box for Dodor. Oh, dear! why did I think of dying just then? It must have been the thought of Dodor. I often lie awake and think what would become of him if I died. I have a money-box for him to give to someone to be kind to him in case I got ill and died. The five-franc piece is in it, and other money as well. I will put yours, too. See, this is where I live.”