Red Caps and Lilies

nui

thin, eager face looked anxious and her black eyes darted here and there in search of hi

ss of the deserted alley, a gaunt, long shape appeared. It was Minuit and when he saw Vivi he ran up

y supper." While she was speaking she was making her way back to an open door through which a faint light was gleam

the big pavilion falling on him. The pavilion had been erected after the storming of the Tuileries and he had been one of hundreds who had offered to help put it up. He was a licorice water seller by profession and all that he had left Vivi of worldly goods was his tin tray and the cups dangling from it. She hoped to make some sous in the spring selling the c

a deal table close to a tiny, rude fireplace, and a chair. Some pieces of a broken box lay on the floor near the fireplace. Vivi went over to the cot and put Minuit down on it. Then she went over to the cupboard and threw open its

acking until he comes." She picked Minuit up in her arms as she spoke and going to the cot, cur

mped up and, drawing the cot close to the dusty window with its small jagged corner of broken glass, leaned forward so that she could see down the alley as far as the ru

wind with him. He had a bundle in his arms and going over to the table he put it down, yawned, and looked at Vivi. She came slowly toward him, trying not to look too

aid, smiling at him. He smiled back at her, open

ts, a loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese. He felt in his pocket and drawing out his big jackknife, cut a generous slice of

rey in words. He was well pleased at her enjoyment of the simple meal and took his own share with a rel

erage. He jumped up on to the table beside Vivi and began to lick his paws. Humphrey Trail balanced himself uncomfortably on the rickety chair as he ate his supper. He had had only a bowl of hot soup in a small café on t

t Frère and of the great house where he lived and of all that had passed since he had snatched the boy from the spinner's cart, when he had called out, "God save King Louis!" What awful things had happened in Paris since that night of the tenth of August when the gallant Marseillais had stormed the Tuileries and awakened Paris to action! Ah, that had be

would stay on, even if his staying might mean his death. His heart bled for the people of France who had been starved and

nfants de

gloire es

. There was Vivi, who depended on him for her daily bread, and there was some one else who might need his help also. He knew

been selling his licorice water when the timbers from the pavilion fell on him. While some one went to get a cart in which to take him to a hospital, Humphrey held the man in his arms and spoke to him in his poor French. Afterward he had visited him at the hospital, and just before the man died, promised to look after his little girl. Hump

thought. Suddenly he was startled by sounds of wild laughter and shouting from the rue S

s la Ca

son du

on swiftly through the dark, wintry streets. Everywhere were hurrying masses of people. Snatches of the "?a Ira," the favorite song of the crowds, could be heard on all sides and wild, dark faces under scarlet c

ar before, it had been filled with smart lackeys, who carried charming boxes of maroons or candied grapes to their ladies' sedan chairs. Now no such finery was seen. Instead the shop was patr

ioche set out on a tray next to a gleaming pile of fruit confits, and he wondered what to buy for Vivi. He felt guilty in buying anything but bread, but he could not resist the pleasure he

a shabby black suit which had evidently belonged to a groom, his locks were tied back with a bit of black tape, and the cap which he held in his hands was a dismal, ragged one. He was evidently attem

itizen, something simple but very g

ounded by green "cauliflowers" of almond flavor. Her black eyes took in his appear

r the king. He had been sent to be his friend. The little incident that occurred when he had let Lisle go his way, after he had rescued him, had made him sure of it. He had watched Lisle and seen him stop and start back, then pause uncertainly and go on again. Something in

e is not forever at your disposal,"

ded the cak

imple for a little

a plain sponge with whit

isle turned round and, seeing Humphrey Trail, at once gave him a smile of greetin

ee sous apiec

drawing forth some coins, counted out the desired amount and handed it to the woman. When she had gi

ittle in awe of him at home in the farmlands when his easy-going temp

e are eyes in every corner. Th' art a poor fool at play actin' with tha soft sp

d rue Royale. Lisle turned and looked a

Humphrey Tr

thing could have happened more timely than Humphrey's losing his temper. Had there been any vestige

see that tha ken sense with tha ma

Trail. Our friend, Rosanne de Soigné, is staying w

," he answered. As he spoke a deep sense of responsibility fell on him and then he

Frère house and Lisle tur

ail. I know you are honest, and just now there

off the rue Saint Antoine, the fourth turn to the right from the corner where the women are making waste for the guns. Tha

and warmly there in the

my only friend, Humphre