Azelma was extremely confused. She was four years old, and looked up to her sister and mother. But, she didn't know which one to follow.
Her mother would always treat her nicely. She would make her sweets, and gave her pretty dresses. She would also be completely rude to Cosette. But, if her mother was doing it, it couldn't be that bad? So, Azelma thought it was absolutely fine to treat Cosette like dirt.
On the other hand, Azelma had witnessed Éponine being nice to Cosette. Éponine would secretly give her food, and she'll talk with her, sometimes. Éponine also talked with the older boy a lot too.
"Éponine, are we friends with Cosette?" Azelma asked her one night. Their beds were parallel and close to each other in their room, so they could talk quietly in the middle of the night.
"Of course," Éponine said, with certainty.
"But Mama—" Azelma began.
"Mama never said we couldn't be friends," Éponine pointed out.
"Aren't Cosette and the other boy here to help us?" Azelma asked.
"No!" Éponine said sharply. She heard sniffling sounds, and she sighed. Éponine got out of her bed and walked over to Azelma. She got in next to her sister and hugged her. "I didn't mean to make you upset," Éponine whispered. Azelma sniffed again. Éponine sighed, "they're just staying with us. What mother and father are doing to them is wrong. They shouldn't be working; they should be playing all of the time. Like us."
Azelma lifted her head to look at her sister. "You're smart."
Éponine laughed softly, "No, I just listen to Courfeyrac, Cosette's brother. He's really smart and nice and funny."
"Can I play with you guys? You never let me," Azelma said, sadly.
"Of course you can play with us! You usually don't want to, or we can't find you. But, I'll get you next time we do something fun," Éponine said.
"Okay," Azelma yawned and closed her eyes.
"Azelma, can you promise me something?" Éponine asked.
"What?" Azelma murmured, sleepily.
"Be nice to Cosette. It'll make her feel better," Éponine said.
"Okay," Azelma said, falling asleep. Éponine smiled at her younger sister and closed her eyes.