THE SUB-PREFECT 89

use of it?’ said the Sub-Prefect, turn-
ing quite red; and driving away this
impudent creature with his hand, he
went on louder than ever.

‘Gentlemen and competitors.’

‘Gentlemen and competitors,’ re-
peated the Sub-Prefect: at the top of
his voice.

But then the little violets stood on
tip-toe, craning up to him at the full
length of their stalks, and said gently,

‘Monsieur the Sub-Prefect, do you
know how sweet we smell?’

And the springs babbled enchanting
music under the moss, and in branches
overhead a crowd of tom-tits came to
sing him their sweetest songs, and all
the little wood was in the plot to prevent
him preparing his speech. The Sub-
Prefect, bewildered with perfume, drunk
with music, vainly attempted to resist
the new spell thrown over him. He
leaned his elbow on the turf, un-
buttoned his fine coat, and stammered
once or twice,