"You all had mothers, I
suppose? Let him alone!"
Jehan le Loup unwillingly sheathed his weapon; Huguette dragged him
back to the table; Villon replaced the spit, which had somewhat
burned his fingers, and sat down by his mother's side on the settle,
in peace.
"Did they frighten you, mammy?" he whispered. "But they meant no
harm. Boys and girls, girls and boys."
The old woman put her arms tightly about him. Villon grimaced. Her
loving touch was as painful as a hostile one to his bruised body,
but he made no attempt to repress her embrace.
"Come home, Fran?ois," she said. "Come home. Where have you been
these three days?"
Villon caressed the old woman very tenderly, as he answered:
"Very busy, mammy--state secrets. Mum's the word. How did you find
me out?"
"They told me at the Unicorn," the old woman said, "that I might
find you here."
Villon made a gesture of contempt.
"Oh, the Unicorn is no longer fashionable. They want payment on the
nail there, confound them! Besides, this is nearer the walls and we
can hear the Burgundians shouting. It is as good as a relish with
our wine."
Mother Villon shook her grey head sadly.
Pages:
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58