CHAPTER IV
FACE TO FACE
I.
The rumbling of the thunder roused Noemi shortly after two o'clock; she had fallen asleep only a short time before. Her room was next to Jeanne's, and the door between them had been left open. Jeanne immediately called out to her. They had talked until two o'clock, when Noemi, quite exhausted, and after many vain efforts, had finally succeeded in persuading her indefatigable friend to leave her in peace. Now she pretended not to hear. Jeanne called again.
"Noemi! The thunder-storm! I am so frightened!"
"You are not a bit frightened!" Noemi answered irritably. "Be quiet! Go to sleep!"
"I am frightened! I am coming into your room."
"I forbid it!"
"Then you must come in here!"
Noemi's "Will you be quiet?" sounded so resolute that the other was silent.
Only for a moment, however; then the tearful,
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