The Signor has gone to ask my cousin, Mr.Duroy, to come here and see to the house.

When I have placed you safely, I will come back slyly to my cousin's house, a few miles from here, and with his help I will settle up my affairs.

Then I will return to you, and we will all go to some secure place and live together.

I never starved yet, and I don't believe I ever shall." The orphans clung to her, and kissed her hands, as they said: "How kind you are to us, dear friend! What shall we ever do to repay you ?" "Your father and mother were generous friends to me," replied Madame; "and now their children are in trouble, I will not forsake them." As the good lady was to leave her apartments for an indefinite time, there was much to be done and thought of, beside the necessary packing for the journey.

The girls tried their best to help her, but they were continually proposing to carry something because it was a keepsake from Mamita or Papasito.
"This is no time for sentiment, my children," said Madame.