Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte
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"Then you are <strong>the</strong> one that saved my cat," she said. "How can I thank<br />
you enough, Mademoiselle? For that cat is my one consolation. If you would<br />
be kind enough to visit me sometime, I would be so pleased to see you."<br />
<strong>Paula</strong> looked at her in surprise, and said, "I will ask Teresa if we may<br />
come to see you." Which permission Teresa readily gave.<br />
"It's Louisa. I know her well. She has lived in that little hut for fifteen<br />
years. True, she is a bit weak in her head but she would never hurt a fly.<br />
Speak to her of <strong>the</strong> Lord Jesus, <strong>Paula</strong>! It will do her good."<br />
On <strong>the</strong> following Thursday, <strong>the</strong>refore, we went to visit her. As we left<br />
<strong>the</strong> house, Teresa handed us a jar of preserves, saying, "Give Louisa this.<br />
Poor thing! Not many good things have come into her life."<br />
Louisa herself answered our knock, "Ah," she said, "please excuse <strong>the</strong><br />
disorder. If I had known you were coming today I would have straightened<br />
things a bit. Sit down here, on this box, Mesdemoiselles. I am sorry that I<br />
have no chairs to offer you. Ah, here comes Cordero!" she continued, and we<br />
could hardly recognize <strong>the</strong> beautiful black cat that jumped purring into<br />
<strong>Paula</strong>'s lap, as <strong>the</strong> same cadaverous animal that was swinging around<br />
Joseph's head a few days before.<br />
"It's my one friend," said <strong>the</strong> poor old woman, sitting down on ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
box.<br />
"Do you believe that?" said <strong>Paula</strong>. "Can you not call us your friends?<br />
And <strong>the</strong>re's ano<strong>the</strong>r friend who has sent you a present. Our Teresa sent this<br />
for you." She placed in <strong>the</strong> eager hands of <strong>the</strong> old woman <strong>the</strong> preserves.<br />
"Is it for me? How can I thank you? For years everybody has made fun<br />
of me, for I never speak to anyone; preferring <strong>the</strong> company of animals to that<br />
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