"
"She seems a different creature when she is doing it!" Marie exclaimed
admiringly. "Now one more, and then I must run down and see in what sort
of a temper Monsieur Plon finds himself. If it is good, he will lend me
his journal. At any rate, I shall only be gone a moment. _Allons!_
Something difficult, something to take away, shall it be?"
As before the whisper responded:
"From thirteen thousand nine hundred and fifty-nine, take eight thousand
five hundred and four."
Madame Didier began in a puzzled voice, "From eight thousand five
hundred and four, take thirteen--" but, seeing Perine shake her head,
caught herself up. "No, no, not that, of course not that!"
"The other way, stupid woman!" said the whisper.
Slowly she started again, "From thirteen thousand," and, interprompted
by the mysterious voice, arrived at the end of her sum, "nine hundred
and--fifty--nine--take--eight--thousand--five hundred--and--four."
Quick as thought came the answer:
"Five thousand four hundred and fifty-five."
"All those fives! You are really a wonder, Perine!" said Marie happily.
"I never could do anything like that, decidedly I am only fit to make
soup. Well, every one to his trade--we can't dine upon figures. If we
could you would provide us with plenty, eh, my child? But now I have
something for you to do while I am away.
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