Olive One, the bride of three months, had put on fine
raiment for nothing.
"Well, Mimi," she said in her low, vibrating voice, as she stood over
the bed, "I do hope you didn't overtire yourself this afternoon." Then
she kissed Mimi.
"Oh no, mamma!" The little girl smiled.
"It seems you waited outside the barber's while Jeannot was having his
hair cut."
"Yes, mamma. I didn't like to go in."
"Ada didn't stay with you all the time?"
"No, mamma. First of all she took Jeannot in, and then she came out to
me, and then she went in again to see how long he would be."
"I'm sorry she left you alone in the street. She ought not to have done
so, and I've told her.... The King's Road, with all kinds of people
about!"
Mimi said nothing. The new Madame Vaillac moved a little towards the
fire.
"Of course," the latter went on, "I know you're a regular little woman,
and perhaps I needn't tell you but you must never speak to anyone in the
street."
"No, mamma."
"Particularly in Brighton.... You never do, do you?"
"No, mamma."
"Good-night."
The stepmother left the room. Mimi could feel her heart beating.
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