THE MILLER’S SECRET 135

solemnly, ‘Hush! I work for the ex-
port trade.” You could get no more
out of him,

As for putting one’s foot inside his
mill it was vain to think of it even.
Little Vivette herself was never allowed
to enter.

When you passed by, the door was
always shut, the big sails in motion,
the old donkey grazing on the turf just
outside, and a big gaunt cat sunning
herself on the window-ledge and watch-
ing you with a spiteful look.

There was mystery in all this, and it
caused a deal of talk. Every one
explained Gaffer Cornille’s secret in his
own way, but the general gossip said
that there were more sacks of money
than flour in that mill.

All was found out at last, however,
and this was the way of it.

Whilst the young people were
dancing to my fife, I noticed one fine
day that my eldest boy and little
Vivette had fallen in love with each