indow, but it was so feeble that it did not lighten the

she had made in the window, but in spite of that the

ep slumber, only broken now

her shoes in her hands she crept down the stair

ough the little yard with her mouth wide open, her nostrils quivering, her head thrown back. Th

om dogs were at liberty to bark. If she wished to leave her bed

elt she must move about. She went out onto the roa

he trees and the roofs of the houses. In a few minutes it would be day. At this moment the clang of a bell brok

alking until six, she would be too tired; so she w

hter, and round about her various

game keepers during the winter. She thought that if she could get to the hut she would be hidden

ched it when the path ended, for it was built upon a small island upon which grew three weeping willows. Around it was a ditch full of water. Fortunately, the trunk of a tr

d herself before the door of the little

ing on each of the four sides, which from without was invisible, but from within one could gain a good view of the surr

it would be for her if she could sleep here in the fresh air, sleeping in peace amongst

sheets, listening to the complaints of La Noyelle and her friends in

losed her eyes. Before long she felt a soft numbness creeping over her. She jumped to her feet, fea

ll cries which announced an awakening to life. Looking out of the window, she could see the birds picking at the humid earth with their beaks, snapping at the worms. Over the pond floated a light mist. A wild duck, far prettier than the tame ducks, was swimming on the

gfisher which had just crossed the pond. For a long time, standing quite still for fear a movement might betray her presence and cause the birds to

ithout apparent cause, covering the pond. She could not understand this, for the sun, which h

w a thick black smoke comin

the dim light. The newspaper was dated February 2. Then this thought came to her: This newspaper was on the only spot in the place where one could sit down,