There were no plates or bowls , but little hollow places in the heavy wooden table near the edge , and into these fixed cups Marie ladled the soup , giving each a wooden spoon from a queer rack in the middle ; the kettle stood at one end , the big loaf lay at the other , and all stood round eating out of their little troughs , with Nannette and a rough dog close by to receive any crusts that might be left . Presently the mother came in , a true Breton woman ; rosy and robust , neat and cheery , though her poor clothes were patched all over , her hands more rough and worn with hard work than any I ever saw , and the fine hair under her picturesque cap gray at thirty with much care . I saw then where Marie got the brightness that seemed to shine in every feature of her little face , for the mother 's coming was like a ray of sunshine in that dark place , and she had a friendly word and look for every one . Our little arrangement was soon made , and we left them all smiling and nodding as if the few francs we were to pay would be a fortune to them . Early next morning we were wakened by Françoise , the maid , who came up to announce that the goat 's milk had arrived . Then we heard a queer , quick , tapping sound on the stairs , and to our great amusement , Nannette walked into the room , straight up to my bedside , and stood there looking at me with her mild yellow eyes as if she was quite used to seeing night-caps . Marie followed with a pretty little bowl in her hand , and said , laughing at our surprise , ` See , dear mademoiselle ; in this way I make sure that the milk is quite fresh and warm ; ' and kneeling down , she milked the bowl full in a twinkling , while Nannette quietly chewed her cud and sniffed at a plate of rolls on the table . The warm draught was delicious , and we drank each our portion with much merriment . ` It is our custom , ' said Françoise ; who stood by with her arms folded , and looked on in a lofty manner . ` What had you for your own breakfast ? ' I asked , as I caught Marie 's eye hungrily fixed on the rolls and some tempting little cakes of chocolate left from our lunch the day before . ` My good bread , as usual , mademoiselle , also sorrel salad and -- and water , ' answered Marie , as if trying to make the most of her scanty meal . ` Will you eat the rolls and put the chocolate in your pocket to nibble at school ? You must be tired with this long walk so early . ' She hesitated , but could not resist ; and said in a low tone , as she held the bread in her hand without eating it , -- ` Would mademoiselle be angry if I took it to Bebe ? She has never tasted the beautiful white bread , and it would please her much . ' I emptied the plate into her basket , tucked in the chocolate , and added a gay picture for baby , which unexpected treasures caused Marie to clasp her hands and turn quite red with delight . After that she came daily , and we had merry times with old Nannette and her little mistress , whom we soon learned to love , so busy , blithe , and grateful was she . We soon found a new way to employ her , for the boy who drove our donkey did not suit us , and we got the donkey-woman to let us have Marie in the afternoon when her lessons were done . She liked that , and so did we ; for she seemed to understand the nature of donkeys , and could manage them without so much beating and shouting as the boy thought necessary .
Such pleasant drives as we had , we two big women in the droll wagon , drawn by the little gray donkey that looked as if made of an old trunk , so rusty and rough was he as he went trotting along , his long ears wagging , and his small hoofs clattering over the fine hard road , while XXXXX sat on the shaft with a long whip , talking and laughing , and giving Andrè a poke now and then , crying ` E! E! houp la ! '
Bebe Breton Françoise Marie Nannette afternoon daily donkeys left night-caps