I + 

Burton, who had enlisted in the Worcesters soon after Stephen had found work in London, Burton was now back again in Paris, loudly demanding a brand-new motor. + 

“The car looks awful! Snub-nosed she looks⁠—peculiar⁠—all tucked up in the bonnet;” he declared. + 

So Stephen bought a touring Renault and a smart little landaulette for Mary. The choosing of the cars was the greatest fun; Mary climbed in and out of hers at least six times while it stood in the showroom. + 

“Is it comfortable?” Stephen must keep on asking, “Do you want them to pad it out more at the back? Are you perfectly sure you like the grey whipcord? Because if you don’t it can be re-upholstered.” + 

Mary laughed: “I’m climbing in and out from sheer swank, just to show that it’s mine. Will they send it soon?” + 

“Almost at once, I hope,” smiled Stephen. + 

Very splendid it seemed to her now to have money, because of what money could do for Mary; in the shops they must sometimes behave like two children, having endless things dragged out for inspection. They drove to Versailles in the new touring car and wandered for hours through the lovely gardens. The Hameau no longer seemed sad to Stephen, for Mary and she brought love back to the Hameau. Then they drove to the forest of Fontainebleau, and wherever they went there was singing of birds⁠—challenging, jubilant, provocative singing: “Look at us, look at us! We’re happy, Stephen!” And Stephen’s heart shouted back: “So are we. Look at us, look at us, look at us! We’re happy!” + 

When they were not driving into the country, or amusing themselves by ransacking Paris, Stephen would fence, to keep herself fit⁠—would fence as never before with Buisson, so that Buisson would sometimes say with a grin: + 

“Mais voyons, voyons! I have done you no wrong, yet it almost appears that you wish to kill me!” + 

The foils laid aside, he might turn to Mary, still grinning: “She fence very well, eh, your friend? She lunge like a man, so strong and so graceful.” Which considering all things was generous of Buisson. + 

But suddenly Buisson would grow very angry: “More than seventy francs have I paid to my cook and for nothing! Bon Dieu! Is this winning the war? We starve, we go short of our butter and chickens, and before it is better it is surely much worse. We are all imbeciles, we kindhearted French; we starve ourselves to fatten the Germans. Are they grateful? Sacré Nom! Mais oui, they are grateful⁠—they love us so much that they spit in our faces!” And quite often this mood would be vented on Stephen. + 

To Mary, however, he was usually polite: “You like our Paris? I am glad⁠—that is good. You make the home with Mademoiselle Gordon; I hope you prevent her injurious smoking.” + 

And in spite of his outbursts Mary adored him, because of his interest in Stephen’s fencing. + 