moins, a little. I am happy to have you comme pensionaires———”
“Madame,” began Dr. Byram, but was cut short again.
“Ah, yess, I know, ah! mon Dieu! you do not spik Frainch but you have come to lairne! My husband does spik Frainch wiss ze pensionaires. We have at ze moment a family Americaine who learn of my husband Frainch———”
Here the poodle growled at Dr. Byram and was promptly cuffed by his mistress.
“Veux tu!” she cried, with a slap, “veux tu! Oh! le vilain, oh! le vilain!”
“Mais, Madame,” said Hastings smiling, “il n’a pas l’air tres féroce.”
The poodle fled and his mistress cried, “Ah, ze accent charming! He does spik already Frainch like a Parisien young gentleman!”
Then Dr. Byram managed to get in a word or two and gathered more or less information in regard to prices.
“It ees a pension serieux; my clientelle ees of ze best, indeed a pension de famille where one ees at ’ome.”
Then they went upstairs to examine Hastings’ future quarters, test the bed-springs and arrange for the weekly towel allowance. Dr. Byram appeared satisfied.
Madame Marotte accompanied them to the door and rang for the maid, but as Hastings stepped out into the gravel walk, his guide and mentor paused a moment and fixed Madame with his watery eyes.
“You understand,” he said, “that he is a youth of most careful bringing up, and his character and morals are without a stain. He is young and has never been abroad,
