Then the carriage rolled away , the wistful face vanished , and nothing remained to me but the memory of Laddie , and a little stain on my glove where a drop had fallen . As I drew near Paris six months later , and found myself wishing that I might meet Varjo in the great , gay city , and wondering if there was any chance of my doing it , I never dreamed of seeing him so soon ; but , as I made my way among the crowd of passengers that poured through the station , feeling tired , bewildered , and homesick , I suddenly saw a blue and white cap wave wildly in the air , then Laddie 's beaming face appeared , and Laddie 's eager hands grasped mine so cordially that I began to laugh at once , and felt that Paris was almost as good as home . ` Ah , ha ! behold the little mamma , who did not think to see again her bad son ! Yes , I am greatly glad that I make the fine surprise for you as you come all weary to this place of noise . Give to me the billets , for I am still mademoiselle 's servant and go to find the coffers . ' He got my trunks , put me into a carriage , and as we rolled merrily away I asked how he chanced to meet me so unexpectedly . Knowing where I intended to stay , he had called occasionally till I notified Madame D. of the day and hour of my arrival , and then he had come to ` make the fine surprise . ' He enjoyed the joke like a true boy , and I was glad to see how well he looked , and how gay he seemed . ` You are better ? ' I said . ' I truly hope so . The winter was good to me and I cough less . It is a small hope , but I do not enlarge my fear by a sad face . I yet work and save a little purse , so that I may not be a heaviness to those who have the charity to finish me if I fall back and yet die . ' I would not hear of that , and told him he looked as well and happy as if he had found a fortune . He laughed , and answered with his fine bow , ' I have . Behold , you come to make the fête for me . I find also here my friends Joseph and Napoleon . Poor as mouses of the church , as you say , but brave boys , and we work together with much gaiety . '
When I asked if he had leisure to be my guide about XXXXX , for my time was short and I wanted to see everything ; he pranced , and told me he had promised himself a holiday , and had planned many excursions the most wonderful , charming , and gay .
Joseph Laddie Napoleon Paris Varjo day fall fête hour mouses