But you see he told me to live here and take care of the flowers, and I must do it, that is certain.

I will ask Father Francis, if you wish: but if he tells me I am wrong, as you do.

I shall stay here all the same." And in answer to their expostulations and condemnation, she only said the same thing over again always, in different words, but to the same steadfast purpose.

The women clamored about her for an hour in reproach and rebuke; she was a baby indeed, she was a little fool, she was a naughty, obstinate child, she was an ungrateful, wilful little creature, who ought to be beaten till she was blue, if only there was anybody that had the right to do it! "But there is nobody that has the right," said Bebee, getting angry and standing upright on the floor, with Antoine's old gray cat in her round arms.

"He told me to stay here, and he would not have said so if it had been wrong; and I am old enough to do for myself, and I am not afraid, and who is there that would hurt me?
Oh, yes; go and tell Father Francis, if you like! I do not believe he will blame me, but if he do, I must bear it.