"I will talk to you," said Aimée, "but I will sit on the steps, near the top."
"Very well—then I will bring my chair and sit at the foot. What made you think of paying me a visit, little one?"
"Because I thought you were lonely," she said simply. "I never saw you until yesterday when I met you coming in at the door. What makes you live here where it is so dark, M. Alphonse?"
"I cannot afford a better room," said the old man. "Also, Leo can be with me here. If you were as lonely as I, little one, you would be glad of a companion."
Aimée glanced doubtfully at Leo.
"I should be afraid," she said. "But you do not mind the dark because you are like the curé. The curé says the good God sees in the dark and takes care of us."
M. Alphonse was silent. He did not know much about God's care.
"Yes, that is very good when one is frightened," the child went on. "Also, it
