Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/61

 one candle, before she could summon up courage to answer, in a quavering voice:

"I did not get the cloak, Cartouche. That is, not to-day."

"Why not?" demanded Cartouche.

"B-b-because I spent twenty francs of the money upon—upon something I wanted more than the cloak."

"What is it?" asked Cartouche in a tone that made little shivers run down Fifi's backbone. "More feathers? Or was it a fan to keep you cool, when the snow is on the ground, instead of a cloak to keep you warm?"

"N-no. It was not a fan. And it is something to keep me warm, too, it is as good as a stove, sometimes."

"What is it?"

There was no mistaking the note in Cartouche's voice. Fifi began:

"It is—don't be angry, dear Cartouche—it is a little black—it is a little black—it is something alive!"

"Is it a little black ostrich? Or is it a little black giraffe?"

Cartouche came toward Fifi then, looking ex