But Zoe in the meantime brought no plate, and when the young woman rose to her feet again she was frightened.

She thought she had seen a shadow close to her.
"It's some beast!" she screamed.
But she stood rooted to the path in utter amazement.

It was a man, and she recognized him.
"Gracious me, it's Baby! What ARE you doing there, baby ?" "'Gad, I've come--that's all!" replied Georges.
Her head swam.
"You knew I'd come through the gardener telling you?
Oh, that poor child! Why, he's soaking!" "Oh, I'll explain that to you! The rain caught me on my way here, and then, as I didn't wish to go upstream as far as Gumieres, I crossed the Choue and fell into a blessed hole." Nana forgot the strawberries forthwith.

She was trembling and full of pity.

That poor dear Zizi in a hole full of water! And she drew him with her in the direction of the house and spoke of making up a roaring fire.
"You know," he murmured, stopping her among the shadows, "I was in hiding because I was afraid of being scolded, like in Paris, when I come and see you and you're not expecting me." She made no reply but burst out laughing and gave him a kiss on the forehead.