A little later, Paula said to me, "I certainly would have loved that New Testament, for there are two or three favorite pa.s.sages with which I would like to refresh my memory, but I simply can"t deceive my uncle. But what am I going to do, Lisita? I must never forget what I promised papa when he died." (Never forget, never forget! was Paula"s constant preoccupation.)
But in spite of these problems which seemed to confront her, her perfect faith in G.o.d came to her aid, and seemed to give her wisdom to take the right road through it all. At times I would surprise her on her knees with her eyes closed and a certain strange indefinable light on her tear-stained face. Immediately however as she sensed my presence, she would spring to her feet and I found the same natural happy creature that I delighted to call my companion. It was not in vain that she prayed! Her G.o.d, whom she had not ceased to serve in the midst of the worldly atmosphere that surrounded her, seemed to come to comfort and strengthen her.
Away off here in Villar, the little orphan was not forgotten. One day, to her great excitement, Paula received a letter, directed personally to her, from someone from her own beloved land.
"What beautiful writing!" exclaimed Rosa. "Who could it be from?"
"I think it must be from my G.o.d-mother," responded Paula, trembling with emotion. "Oh, do give me the letter, Rosa."
Rosa, always full of fun, pretended to keep the letter, to the dismay of our small cousin, who didn"t always see through our jokes, but finally yielded to her entreaties.
"Wouldn"t you like to read it to us, Rosa?" asked Paula, tearing open the envelope. "I find it much harder to read writing than printing."
Rosa was only too glad to learn the secrets contained in such an unusual communication. And so this is what we heard as she read:
"My dear G.o.d-daughter: I cannot tell you how dismayed I was on my return from Geneva to learn of the death of thy father. I know he is at peace in heaven, happy at the side of the Lord he so dearly loved. But it is for thee that my heart was torn with anguish. Canst thou imagine the pain that filled it when I found on my return to Villar, that both of you had gone from me?
"The Pastor in the village told me that thou hadst gone to your uncle"s house in Normandy, and that thou wert well-cared for. But oh, how I would have wished to have kept thee with me. But thou knowest, that for me, that would have been impossible, having to care for my old father and mother, as well as pay off their debts. I know, however, with the help of G.o.d, some day I shall be free. Then we shall return to buy the little farm where my father made us such a happy home, and at that time I trust that thou wilt come back and live with me--but then, I suppose thou wilt have become a great lady, and wilt not be content to come back to such a simple life with an obscure country woman (although I really don"t believe that)."
"Oh, no, no, no!" suddenly interrupted Paula. "G.o.dmother knows very well that I shall never forget the happy life in Villar."
"Then, you will go back there?" inquired Rosa.
"Of course. Why not?" and Paula looked quite surprised.
"What"s that you say? You would leave all of us who love you so?"
"Oh, no indeed, you shall all come with me," responded Paula, who generally had a way of solving every difficulty.
Rosa smiled and returned to her reading.
"I have just been to see the grave of thy dear father where I planted some hardy white roses which will stand the winter winds. I went also to the neighboring village of Endroit where thou usedst to visit the poor, and immediately I was surrounded by thy friends. Papa Pierre Vigne especially sends his love. They all spoke of thee and called down blessings on thy head, especially that thou mightst be a witness for the Lord in thy new home. Mama Vigne recalled the time when thou visitedst her when she was so sick, and how happy thou madest her when thou didst sing those beautiful hymns to her. I believe, my dear one, that if thou shouldst write her a few lines, it would be like letting in a little heaven on her simple life, as she would thus see that the daughter of their best friend is thinking still of those whom she used to make happy by her heavenly presence. All those that have known thee and know that I am writing send kisses and loving remembrances. Many persons have asked that thou shouldst pray for them.
They love thee so and miss thy presence, my dear, dear G.o.d-daughter!
Continue, Paula, always to be obedient. Love everybody, and above all else, the G.o.d of thy father who awaits thee in heaven. Love not the world nor the things that are in the world. Be thou a valiant soldier, faithful unto death, and Christ shall give thee the crown of life, for He will never forget thee, and neither do we in this far-off valley, nor thy good deeds which thou hast done amongst us. And now, may G.o.d bless thee and keep thee safe in His hands.... Thy loving G.o.dmother, Evangelina, who prays for thee."
Paula, overcome by emotion, buried her face on Rosa"s shoulder.
"Wait a minute," said Rosa, "don"t cry. Here is something more."
Paula dried her eyes and listened intently as Rosa continued, "P. S. I am sending thee five francs by money order which you can redeem at your post office. Buy something with it by which to remember me."
"Five francs!" repeated Paula, with astonishment now instead of tears on her face, "Are you sure?"
"Of course. See. Here is the money order."
Paula, who never in her life had owned a single cent, could hardly believe that she was the possessor of so much riches!
Her G.o.dmother"s letter was, of course, a tremendous event for all of us.
Rosa had to read it over and over many times, and it seemed as if Paula wished to learn it by heart. Even my father read it with great attention and appeared quite pleased. Teresa declared that "The G.o.d-mother was surely a "tres comme il faut,"" but she did not explain to us why.
One thing however displeased Teresa--the eagerness with which Paula immediately planned to spend all her money.
"How now!" she exclaimed, "Is it burning a hole in your pocket? I should think a little girl like you would prefer to keep the money."
"Keep it?" said Paula. "Why should I keep it?"
But the next day, when Teresa announced that she was going to the city, she invited us both to come along. "What are _you_ going to buy?" she asked Paula.
"Oh, so many things. You shall see!"
And the "things" which we "saw" were certainly a great surprise to us.
First we went to the book-shop where a number of souvenir cards were purchased to send back to Villar. From there, on pa.s.sing a window filled with fruit, Paula exclaimed, "Oh, my, Catalina certainly does love grapes.
I must get her some."
"Grapes!" said Teresa. "Look at the price, you silly child."
"Never mind. I"m rich this afternoon."
"Well, you won"t be rich long, if you make many purchases like that!"
But Paula would not be satisfied until a great bunch of the luscious fruit was safely stowed away in Teresa"s bag, destined for Catalina. Having arrived in front of a stationer"s shop, two pencils went into the bag, one for Rosa and the other for Louis.
"And aren"t you going to get anything for yourself?" said Teresa, with a quizzical grin.
"Oh, you shall see," laughed Paula. "Besides, you know, Teresa, I"ve got everything I need, and a good deal more."
But now a present for my father was the next object for discussion. "Men don"t need presents," said Teresa impatiently.
But Paula did not agree with her. "I know," she cried at last, "I remember what he said yesterday that his coffee cup was too small. Let"s get him a big one." So off to the china-shop we went, where a huge blue cup decorated with flowers of extraordinary size depleted Paula"s treasure by a whole franc. I began to ask myself whether I was going to have any part in Paula"s generosity. But on pa.s.sing a certain bazaar where a myriad of things were sold, I saw Paula make signs that Teresa seemed to understand.
Contrary to her custom Teresa entered alone, telling us to walk on a bit and she would join us soon.
"And now," said Paula, "we must buy an ap.r.o.n for Teresa, while she"s not looking. Where shall we go?"
"I think it would be better to let her choose one, and anyway, Teresa will soon be out of the bazaar and will be looking for us."
"Oh, my, no! This has got to be a surprise!"
"Yes, I know. But how are we going to work it?"
A moment later, however, Paula discovered a way, a bit risky perhaps, but the circ.u.mstances seemed to justify the means.
Teresa, suspecting that Paula"s generosity would extend to her, and wishing to avoid that, watched us both carefully; but when all the purchases appeared to be completed, the good woman occupied herself with buying provisions for the house, which of course entailed considerable discussion as to price, etc. It was then that Paula had her chance.
"Now"s our time," she said to me in a low voice.
I followed her without delay. Teresa, meanwhile, argued the price of b.u.t.ter and cheese with an old school-friend, now elevated to proprietorship of the shop, and we knew that this would take at least a quarter-of-an-hour. We soon arrived at a place where they sold novelties, and where the clerks were about ready to close for the night.
"Oh, sir," cried Paula, to one of the young men, "will you not please attend to me? I"m in a great hurry."