Page:A chambermaid's diary.djvu/346

340 "Eighteen months, Madame."

Madame gave a start, and turned violently in her arm-chair. This was too much for her; she was scandalized. A sort of growl escaped from her lips.

"Children! Think of it! Children, when one cannot bring them up, or have them at home! These people are incorrigible; the devil is in their bodies!"

Becoming more and more aggressive, and even ferocious, she addressed herself to Jeanne again, who stood trembling before her gaze.

"] warn you," said she, enunciating each word separately, «*I warn you that, if you enter my service, I will not allow you to bring your little girl to my house. No goings and comings in the house; I want no goings and comings in the house. No, no. No strangers, no vagabonds, no unknown people. One is exposed quite enough with the ordinary run of callers. Oh! no, thank you! "

In spite of this declaration, which was not very prepossessing, the little servant dared to ask, nevertheless :

"In that case, Madame surely will permit me to go and see my little girl, once a year,—just once a year!"

"No.'

Such was the reply of the implacable bourgeoise. And she added: