Marie Josephine's eyes were full upon him. They were filled with astonishment, but not anger. She was too interested to be angry.
"Dian maybe is risking his life! There are terrible times in Paris. We heard from the peddler that they have killed the king. Your brother is not worth as much as Dian's staff!" Grigge went on excitedly.
Jean flung himself from the gate and pitched into Grigge before either he or Marie Josephine could think. He had been swinging back and forth and listening, and when Grigge said that Lisle was not worth as much as Dian's staff, he was ready to spring! The two boys rolled over and over on the hard ground. Jean knew that he was getting the worst of it, but he did not mind. He was fighting for the Little Mademoiselle, and he gloried in it. Let her say again that he was only a baby, and that he would never grow up! She would see that he could avenge her! She would see that no one could insult her brother in his presence, even if he were only little Jean!
Marie Josephine's voice rang out sharply in the clear, frosty air.
"Stop! Do you hear me? I say you are to stop. Do not dare to hurt little Jean, Grigge!"
Grigge had Jean upon the ground and was pounding him with his fists.
Marie Josephine ran over to the two boys.
"It would break Dian's heart to see you," she cried. Grigge immediately left off pounding and stood up, and after a moment Jean followed his example. Grigge looked sullen and sheepish, but Jean's little face glowed. Marie Josephine had given him a look of approval.
They stood there, the three of them, in the pale wintry sunshine. Marie Josephine looked straight into Grigge's eyes. She held her blue cloak about her shoulders, her curls blew in the wind, and on her white, earnest face was a look that had never been there before.
"I didn't know, Grigge. I am just waking up to--oh, so many things! You are not the only one who has trouble now, remember that. We must all try to help each other." As she spoke, she turned away toward the gates, but Grigge's voice followed her.
Late the next afternoon Marie Josephine sought Jean at the cottage. He was alone, sitting on the settle by the fire, and he was just finishing his early supper of onion soup. Mother Barbette had gone to the hovel to take some soup to Grigge's youngest sister, who was ailing.