"No, indeed! _This_ is where I keep it!"
Madame Wachner suddenly lifted her thin alpaca skirt, and Sylvia, with
astonishment, saw that hung round her capacious waist were a number of
little wash-leather bags. "My money is all 'ere!" exclaimed Madame
Wachner, laughing heartily. "It rests--oh, so cosily--against my
petticoat."
They went back into the kitchen. The water was boiling, and Sylvia made
the tea, Madame Wachner looking on with eager interest.
"La! La! it will be strong! I only put a pinch for ourselves. And now go
into the dining-room, and I will bring the teapot there to you, Madame!"
"No, no," said Sylvia laughing, "why should we not drink our tea here, in
this pretty kitchen?"
The other looked at her doubtfully. "Shall we?"
"Yes, of course!" cried Sylvia.
They drew up two rush-bottomed chairs to the table and sat down.
Sylvia thoroughly enjoyed this first taste of Madame Wachner's
hospitality. The drive and the great heat had made her feel tired and
languid, and the tea did her good.
"I will go and see if the carriage is there," said Madame Wachner at
last.
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