"All in the merry month of May
When green buds they were swellin'!"
The lamplighter was on his ladder lighting the Doctor's lamp.
"I should like to congratulate the Admiral," said Madame.
"I 'll send him out to you," answered Mrs. Poskett, eagerly. She saw
her chance of obliging Lord Otford. Madame rose with her and
accompanied her towards Sir Peter's house. Marjolaine turned towards
Jack, pointing with violent gesticulations to where the victuals lay:--
"You'll find the parcels where I say
By lookin' or by smellin'!"
Then she ran into the summer-house.
Jack caught sight of the food, and with a delighted "Ha!" crept down the
steps. Unfortunately, however, the lamplighter had heard Marjolaine's
words and followed the direction in which she had pointed. His little
ferret eyes gleamed greedily.
Madame left Mrs. Poskett to go into the house, and turned to where she
had left her daughter, but no Marjolaine was to be seen. "Marjolaine!"
she called, anxiously.
Marjolaine came slowly out of the Gazebo. Her hands were folded in front
of her and her eyes were cast down. She looked altogether as subdued as
a Saint in a stained-glass window.
"Me voila, Maman," she said, demurely.
Madame sat under the elm, a little to the right of the trunk.
Marjolaine came and knelt at her feet and seized both her hands so that
she held the poor, deluded lady with her back to the houses, while she
herself could watch Jack in his quest of the pigeon-pie.
Madame was glad of this opportunity of saying a few well-chosen words to
her daughter.
She began very gravely:--"Marjolaine, you are putting on this gaiety to
please me--"
"No, Maman," said Marjolaine; but at that moment the lamplighter slid
down his ladder, and, creeping on all fours, began stalking the
pigeon-pie. She saw it was going to be a race between the lamplighter
and Jack for the coveted prize, and she could not suppress a little
startled "Oh!"
"Why do you cry out like that?" asked Madame, with deep concern.
Marjolaine had the greatest difficulty in the world to keep from
laughing. "Nothing, Maman!" she said, volubly. "You are not to be
anxious about me. I am quite, quite happy."
The race was continuing. Although Jack saw the lamplighter's manoeuvre,
he could not move quickly, for fear of making a noise and being heard by
Madame.
"I saw Lord Otford yesterday," Madame continued.
Marjolaine's entire attention was absorbed by the rivals. "You saw--?"
she repeated, vaguely. But at that moment the lamplighter was
perceptibly gaining on Jack. "Oh! Oh!" she cried, with a stifled
laugh.