“Don’t be afraid, child. We have money enough.”
They had just lighted the lamp, when they heard a key in the outer door;
and a moment later Papa Ravinet appeared. He was very red; and, although
it was freezing outdoors, he was streaming with perspiration.
“I am exhausted,” he said, sinking into, an armchair, and wiping his
forehead with his broad checkered handkerchief. “You cannot imagine how
I have been running about to-day! I wanted to take an omnibus to come
home, but they were all full.”