[Illustration: THE FIRST C0MMUNI0N.]

Poor Pupasse! God solved the dilemma of her education, and madame'sincreasing sensitiveness about her appearance in the fifth class, bythe death of the very aged grandmother. She went home to the funeral, andnever returned--or at least she returned, but only for madame. Therewas a little scene in the parlor: Pupasse, all dressed in purple, withher bag of primary books in her arm, ready and eager to get back toher classes and fools' caps; madame, hesitating between her interestsand her fear of ridicule; Madame Joubert, between her loyalty toschool and her conscience. Pupasse the only one free and untrammeled,simple and direct.

That little school parlor had been the stage for so many scenes!Madame Joubert detested acting--the comedy, as she called it. Therewas nothing she punished with more pleasure up inside her chamber. Andyet--