The Healers (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ...the douane they nearly stopped it, for it appears that it is forbidden. Almost everything, as Mademoiselle knows, is forbidden at the douane. It is terrible there. No foreigners should send parcels to Paris." Meanwhile the maid was busy unfastening, while her mistress watched with irresistible curiosity. "I said that Mademoiselle was connected with the Embassy," remarked the maid. "Hortense " "Not that they believed me " She lifted out, from many wrappings, a dirty discoloured linen bag, and, untying it, disclosed an enormous black ball. "They said it was a bomb," announced Hortense, standing away from it. "A plum-pudding " cried Miss MacClachlin, her eyes moistening. "A plum-pudding from home " "They wanted to cut it open " continued Hortense, "but the Brigadier was afraid of breaking his sword. They passed it at last as Mate'rz'el de construction--how say you in English?--building material " Hortense possessed a positive genius for the enjoyment of freshly made lies. In fact it was her great life-happiness. It possessed her, to speak more correctly, like dramdrinking. "Nannie must have made it," said Maria MacClachlin, still in the same thrilled voice. "My old nurse. And sent it over here, just in time for Christmas Eve, from Rowangowan." "And Mademoiselle's butcher-boys, that have their entertainment to-morrow, they can eat it--they will not die " "No--no foreigner shall touch that pudding " Miss MacClachlin stretched out her hand as if to protect it. "Not even you, Hortense " "I thank Heaven, I love life," replied the maid; "yet, ...