When she made her appearance monsieur complimented her unusually red cheeks.
"Doubtless mademoiselle has had a fine promenade," he said.
"No," answered Joyce, with a blush that made them redder still, and that caused madame to look at her so keenly that she felt those sharp eyes must be reading her inmost thoughts.

It disturbed her so that she upset the salt, spilled a glass of water, and started to eat her soup with a fork.

She glanced in an embarrassed way from madame to monsieur, and gave a nervous little laugh.
"The little mademoiselle has been in mischief again," remarked monsieur, with a smile.

"What is it this time ?" The smile was so encouraging that Joyce's determination not to tell melted away, and she began a laughable account of the afternoon's adventure.

At first both the old people looked shocked.