“Ah, yess, I know, ah! mon Dieu! you do not spik Frainch but you have come to lairne! My husband does spik Frainch wiss ze pensionnaires. We have at ze moment a family Americaine who learn of my husband Frainch⁠—”

Here the poodle growled at Dr. Byram and was promptly cuffed by his mistress.

“ Veux tu! ” she cried, with a slap, “ veux tu! Oh! le vilain, oh! le vilain! ”

“ Mais, madame ,” said Hastings, smiling, “ il n’a pas l’air très féroce. ”