Pauline was finishing the washing-up after breakfast while watching with amusement the bullfinches and blue birds quarreling in the garden over the crumbs of bread she had just thrown out of the window. It was almost as cold in the kitchen as it was outside, but despite everything she was happy, as she usually was. She was twelve years old, sensible, brave and always cheerful. Although these last few months had been anything but easy. First her father had lost his job in the summer and had still not found another one. Then her mother had fallen ill shortly afterwards and had to stay in the hos