very grain of sand? Shall I trust you
then--?"

Madame usually had a kitchen to herself, in the morning. She either
ousted her landlady, or used her as second cook. For Madame was a
gourmet, if not gourmand. If she inclined towards self-indulgence in
any direction, it was in the direction of food. She _loved_ a good
table. And hence the Tawaras saved less money than they might. She
was an exacting, tormenting, bullying cook. Alvina, who knew well
enough how to prepare a simple dinner, was offended by Madame's
exactions. Madame turning back the green leaves of a leek, and
hunting a speck of earth down into the white, like a flea in a bed,
was too much for Alvina.

"I'm afraid I shall never be particular enough," she said. "Can't I
do anything else for you?"

"For me? I need nothing to be done for me. But for the young
men--yes, I will show you in one minute--"

And she took Alvina upstairs to her room, and gave her a pair of the
thin leather trousers fringed with hair, belonging to one of the
_braves_. A seam had ripped. Madame gave Alvina a fine awl and some
waxed thread.

"The leather is not good in these things of Gigi's," she said. "It
is badly prepared. See, like this." And she showed Alvina another
place where the garment was repaired. "Keep on your apron. At the
week-end you must fetch more clothes, not spoil this beautiful gown
of voile. Where have you left your diamonds? What? In your room? Are
they locked? Oh my dear--!" Madame turned pale and darted looks of
fire at Alvina. "If they are stolen--!" she cried. "Oh! I have
become quite weak, hearing you!" She panted and shook her head. "If
they are not stolen, you have the Holy Saints alone to be thankful
for keeping them. But run, run!"

And Madame really stamped her foot.

"Bring me everything you've got--every _thing_ that is valuable. I
shall lock it up. How _can_ you--"

Alvina was hustled off to her lodging. Fortunately nothing was gone.
She brought all to Madame, and Madame fingered the treasures
lovingly.

"Now what you want you must ask me for," she said.

With what close curiosity Madame examined the ruby brooch.

"You can have that if you like, Madame," said Alvina.

"You mean--what?"

"I will give you that brooch if you like to take it--"

"Give me this--!" cried Madame, and a flash went over her face. Then
she changed into a sort of wheedling. "No--no. I shan't take it! I
shan't take it. You don't want to give away such a thing."