ВАВЕТТЕ. April! Ville-d'Avray ! . Why, M'sieu' knows: Ma'am'selle Rose! M. VIEUXBOIS. Ah! I am old,—and I forget. Was the place growing green, Babette? BABETTE. But of a greenness!—yes, M'sieu'! How the birds sang! (Lifting her apron to her eyes.) This poor Ma'am'selle! M. VIEUXBOIS. You're a good girl, Babette, but she,— She was an angel, verily. Sometimes I think I see her yet Stand smiling by the cabinet; And once, I know, she peeped and laughed Betwixt the curtains.... Where's the draught ? (She gives him a cup.) Now I shall sleep, I think, Babette;— Sing me your Norman chansonnette. BABETTE (sings). "Once at the Angelus Angels all glorious What, was I dreaming? "Once she laughed ". Where's the draught? BABETTE (showing the empty cup). The draught, M'sieu'? M. VIEUX BOIS. How I forget! am so old! But sing, Babette ! 66 BABETTE (sings). One was the Friend I left One was the Wife that died Long, long ago; One was the Love I lost... M. VIEUXBOIS (murmuring). Ah, Paul!... Old Paul!... Eulalie too! And Rose.... And O!" the sky so blue!" BABETTE (sings). "One had my Mother's eyes, Wistful and mild; One had my Father's face, One was a Child; All of them bent to me,— (He is asleep!) Bent down and smiled!” M. VIEUXBOIS (almost inaudibly). “How I forget!" "I am so old!"... "Good-night, Babette!" |