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Updated: September 2, 2025
For all answer Jeanne gave a sort of little whistle half whistle, half coo it was. "Houpet, Houpet," she called softly, "we've brought a little cochon de Barbarie to sleep in your house. You must be very kind to him do you hear, Houpet dear? and in the morning you must fly down and peep in at his cage and tell him you're very glad to see him."
If we lived in it always, we should never see the end of the beautiful things there are. Only " "Only what?" asked Hugh. "I don't think it would be a good plan to live in it always. Just sometimes is best, I think. Either the things wouldn't be so pretty, or our eyes wouldn't see them so well after a while. But see, Chéri, the trees are growing common-coloured again, and Houpet is stopping.
"Not that they can be any use," whispered Hugh, "but it's very good-natured of them all the same." "I am not so sure that they can't be of any use," returned Jeanne. "Think of how well Houpet drove." "Here goes, then," said Hugh.
"I am sure Houpet has been kind to him. What a pity pets can't speak, isn't it? they could tell us such nice funny things." "Yes," said Hugh, "I've often thought that, and I often have thought Nibble could speak if he liked." "Houpet could, I'm quite sure," said Jeanne, "and I believe Dudu and he do speak to each other. You should just see them sometimes.
I think every one comes a different way to this country, do you know, Chéri?" "And very likely Dudu thought I could carry you if there was anywhere you couldn't climb," said Hugh, importantly. "I'm sure I " he stopped abruptly, for a sudden crow from Houpet had brought all the party to a standstill.
And down below on the path stood the raven, on one leg of course, his queer black head very much on one side, as he surveyed the little group above him. "Silly young people," he seemed to be saying to himself; but Houpet was not to be put down so.
She opened the door as she spoke, and gently pulled Hugh in after her. "Look," she went on, "there is a very, very little light from the kitchen window after all, when the door is opened. Look, Chéri, up in that corner sleep Houpet and the others. Put the cochon de Barbarie down here so that will do. He will be quite safe here, and you feel it is not cold."
Houpet stood at the edge of the stone eyeing it gravely, and somehow he managed to make Hugh understand that he was to lift it. Nothing loth, but rather doubtful as to whether he would be strong enough, the boy leant forward to reach the ring, first whispering, however, to Jeanne, "It's getting like a quite real fairy tale, isn't it, Jeanne?" Jeanne nodded, but looked rather anxious.
And no doubt Houpet and the others will be wondering why we are so long." "We can whistle for Dudu again if we need," said Hugh. "He helped us very well the last time. I too am rather sleepy, Jeanne, but still I think I had better not go quite asleep. You lie down, and I'll just paddle on very slowly and softly for a little, and when you wake up we'll fix whether we should whistle or not."
"About our adventures the drive in the carriage, with Houpet as coachman, and the stair down to the frog's country, and the frogs and the boat, and the concert, and O Jeanne! the song of the swan." Jeanne opened wide her eyes. "Chéri!" she said, "you've been dreaming all these funny things." Hugh was so hurt and disappointed that he nearly began to cry.
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