After that they watched her every instant; they were for ever undressing her to see if the cure was working—­they could hardly bear to wait.  Just think—­if it were to succeed.  It would be the end and aim of all their care.  Yollande could once again take her proper place in the world.

At last what had happened to the head, happened to the body too.  Before a week had gone by a thick down completely covered the big hen.  The good women, much wondering, imagined that as it grew stronger the hair would change into feathers.  Anxiously they awaited the change.  Nothing of the sort happened.  The hair remained hair—­red, Titian red—­fine and soft, curling round your fingers, admirable in quality and colour.

The hair on the head, older than that on the rest of the body, was much longer, which suggested to the mischievous Germaine the idea of making her an elaborate headdress.

Nothing like it had ever been seen before.

Soon Yollande was able to discard some of her clothes.  Her breast and back required for a time yet a little covering, but this grew gradually less and less.

Naturally the phenomenon was much discussed in the neighbourhood, and it attracted many and delightful visitors to the farm, all of whom Mother Etienne welcomed cordially.  Yollande was less pleased with this desire to inspect her.  Generally some unbeliever would tug at her hair, a painful experience for her.  So, except towards her mistress and Germaine, she had become exceedingly vindictive and watchful.  Every time she had the chance she pecked with her short, stout beak at the person indiscreet enough to take such liberties.  One little visitor, more daring than the rest, nearly lost his finger over it.

The fame of the curly-haired hen was tremendous, it spread even beyond the limits of the district.  It was really worth a journey to see her.  They wrote of it in the newspapers.  The “Daily Mirror,” I think it was, had a fine long article about her.

But in certain quarters, the whole thing was looked upon as a “fish story.”

CHAPTER V

SIR BOOUM CALLS UPON MOTHER ETIENNE

Just about this time placards were posted about the whole village, announcing the arrival of a Great American Circus, bringing in its train the most wonderful spectacles.  Menageries,—­curiosities of all kinds, such as had not been seen since the time of the Caesars.

Incredible things were on show.  Nobody, however small their purse, could resist the pleasure of witnessing these sights.  Nobody, that is, except the people in and around this village.

The menagerie prepared for its performance by splendid processions.  Caparisoned in gold the elephants marched around.  There were horses of all colours and of all sizes, dromedaries, rhinoceroses, black men and white monkeys, bands of musicians, fairy chariots.