The stranger's words surprised her, both their content and because he spoke her own language. At school they insisted on her using only English all of the time - except during French lessons, which it seemed utterly ridiculous she had to endure with all the little English girls and their horrid accents.
She scooted forward a little more, peering after him as he opened a door and looked around. [Excuse me, sir? Who are you?] she asked nervously.