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 "I bet I know what brought you here so early in the morning," said Martine.

"You knew the reason before you were born," was my answer.

"You mean Mother?"

"Who else?"

"Men are such cowards!"

Florimond heard the last word, just as he was coming in, and drew himself up, thinking it was meant for him. "No offense," said I, "she was talking to me."

"If the cap fits put it on!" said my daughter.

Florimond always stands a good deal on his dignity and hates to be laughed at; besides he is apt to be suspicious of Martine and me when we get together, and fancies, sometimes with some reason, that we are making him the butt of our jokes, so I said innocently, "You know well enough, Martine, that Florimond is master in his own house, not like your poor old father, who always let himself be put upon; you inherit your docile submissive nature from me, my child."

"Get along with you, old humbug," cried Martine, who by this time was at her house-cleaning again, rubbing the windows, the walls, and the furniture, as if to take the very skin off. She filled the whole place to overflowing with life and energy,