r allowed much time for
rest. You would not believe how many people seek me to obtain my advice.
I will return in a few minutes and finish my story."

When she had gone, Barbara looked longingly at the couch. It was _such_
a hot day, and the lesson had been a long one; but she was afraid it was
not much good to settle down with the promise of the story hanging over
her head. The result proved she was right, for very soon Mademoiselle
Therese came hurrying back again, full of smiles and importance. The
landlady of the inn, _Au Jacques Cartier_, wished her to go there, she
said, to act as interpreter between herself and an Englishman, who could
speak hardly any French. Would Barbara like to come too?

Thinking it might be entertaining, Barbara got ready hastily and ran down
to join Mademoiselle Therese and the landlady, who had come in person "to
better make clear matters."

"This Englishman and his son," she explained, as they went along, "have
only been with us a day or two, but already we wish them to go, yet
cannot make them understand. Of course, I do not wish to hurt his
feelings, but now, in August, I could let the room twice over to people
who would be much less trouble, and whom the other guests would like
better."

"But what is wrong with these?" asked Mademoiselle Therese critically.
"I must know all the affair or I cannot act in it."

She drew herself up very straight, and Barbara wondered if she were
thinking of Portia in the _Merchant of Venice_.

"Well, this gentleman asked for a 'bath every morning,'" the landlady
replied in an injured tone, "and after we procured for him a nice little
washing-tub, with much trouble, he said it was too small."

"That is not sufficient reason to send him away;" and Mademoiselle
Therese shook her head.

"No. But then he cannot understand what goes on at _table d'hote_, and
he and his son are such silent companions that it casts a gloom over the
rest. Of course," with an apologetic glance at Barbara, "some Englishmen
are very nice to have; but this one"--she shook her head as if the matter
were quite beyond her--"this one I do not like, and perhaps without
hurting his feelings, you, mademoiselle, could make quite clear to him
that he must go."

By this time they had arrived at the hotel, which was close to the
Rosalba Bathing Place, and overlooked that little bay. Barbara, thinking
the interview would be a delicate one, and that she would but add to the
un