na," the little girl timidly replied.
"Where are your family?"
"Papa became a bandit, mama and I have nothing to eat. Mama got ill. We had no medicine. She died the day before yesterday."
"A bandit?" Edith questioned in confusion.
"They say papa is a republican bandit."
"He''s not a bandit," Edith sighed. She hesitated, then looked towards the direction of the military camp.
"Listen, Fiona, I cannot take you back to the camp," she grasped the girl''s shoulders, "but you cannot stay outside. You will freeze to death. Walk in that direction and knock from door to door. There will be someone willing to take you in."
The little girl nodded, seemingly not fully understanding. As she turned to leave, the maiden called out to her once more before she had gone far:
"If you really cannot find a place to stay, come to the camp over there to find me! My name is Edith Travis."
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On her way back, Edith''s light-hearted joy dissipated, and her steps grew heavy. At the corner, she ran into Andre, who had come out to check on her. He was surprised to see her here.
"Edith, how haven''t you returned to your own quarter yet? And where''s your shawl?" he asked, swiftly taking off his own coat and wrapping it around her. Edith briefly explained to him what had just happened.
Andre looked frustrated. "You''re too reckless, Edith. I warned you not to interact with the locals alone. Did you ever consider that it might have been a trap set by the rebel guerrillas?"
"I am not inclined to believe a little girl freezing to death could be a royalist spy," Edith gave a cold hum, turning her head away.
He grew angry at her stubbornness. "I told you this place is dangerous. You have to put your safety first!"
"Do you mean to say that only you are allowed to do good?" Edith questioned, displeased.
Andre sighed apologetically. "I''m just too worried about you. If I brought you out here and then let you get into danger due to my carelessness, how can I answer to Philippe and Citizeness Percys? And how can I ever forgive myself?"
Edith didn''t answer, letting him take her hand and lead her back towards the army camp.
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