Nobody's Girl

this question over in her mind sadly as she walked along by the fortifications. She found her way back easily. She

once to Marauco

g enough?" Perrine

ter. And while we wait our money is going. What poor Palikare has bro

go? Today?"

nd out the hours of the train and the price of the tickets. It is th

e station, which was a long way off. From the time table they learned that there were two trains in the morning, o

her mother, "and we will take a cab, fo

ab that Perrine had waiting for her. She attempted the few steps from her r

aid weakly. "Don't be a

watching them depart, had to bring a chair. T

ds. "It is nothing, girl; don't look so scared ... just go and find Carp

ick woman in her bed, where

I'll get Carp to give you a nice cup of bouillon. He loves soup as much as the landlord loves wine; wint

ply, she went to Carp, w

of your bouillon for o

quickly took the lid from a saucepan

it, carrying it carefully

, kneeling down beside the bed. "Do

e fainted, and this time she remained unconscious for a longer time. The Baroness s

tor came, but there w

t. Although their expenses were not great, there was first one thing, then another, that was needed. When

face white and drawn with anxiety. Suddenly she felt her mother

?" she asked quickl

hour has come for my last words

mama!" cr

en you, and that is the reason why, until now, I have said nothing that would add to your gri

rts, Perrine could n

u will be an orphan. It may be better for you to go alone than to be taken to them by a mother whom they h

stopped, overco

father's. You will be asked to show it, but make them give it back to you. You might need it later on to prove your parentage. Take great care of it, dear. How ever, you might lose it

mama

left alone ... then you must go off at once to Maraucourt ... by train if you have enough money ... on foot, if you have not

ma," sobbed th

more, but that she must rest for a moment. Little

... what you get must be for yourself alone ... be good, and make yourself loved. All is there ... for you. I have hope

yer. Then a look of heavenly

y ... she will be cared for. I can die in peace now with this thought ...

rine waited ... waited. Her mother did not speak. She was dead. Then the child left the bedside and went out of the hous

reath came in hiccoughs. Vaguely she thought that she ought

e night was falling. She wandered about,

man, who had watched her come out of the house, w

girl," he sai

." she

said, offering her the candy.