"Now, I declare, you are the first that has said that word to me about my losing the true friend, that nursed me on her knee, and pinched and pinched to make a man of me.

I should like to tell you about her and me." "I shall feel honored," said Josephine, politely, but with considerable restraint.
Then he told her all about how he had vexed her when he was a boy, and gone for a soldier, though she was all for trade, and how he had been the more anxious to see her enjoy his honors and success.

"And, mademoiselle," said he, appealingly, "the day this epaulet was put on my shoulder in Italy, she died in Paris.

Ah! how could you have the heart to do that, my old woman ?" The soldier's mustache quivered, and he turned away brusquely, and took several steps.

Then he came back to Josephine, and to his infinite surprise saw that her purple eyes were thick with tears.