wake up being punished like that! I was so furious that I decided right then and there to become independent and try to make my own living as I saw fit. And since I had made up my mind, I waited for an opportunity when my mother would be out of the house. I quickly put on my Sunday finery and said goodbye forever to the home of my mother.
CHAPTER THREE. NEW ACQUAINTANCE
I walked around at random and finally arrived at the place Greve; from there I walked along the banks of the Seine toward the Tuileries. I strolled aimlessly about the gardens without giving any thought to what I was going to do. By the time I had calmed down a little I had arrived at the Terrasses des Capucins. I sat there for more than a half hour, thinking about what to do next, when a smartly dressed lady of excellent demeanor sat down next to me. We nodded and started one of those conversations that people often do when they like to talk but actually have nothing of importance to say.
“Oh, Mademoiselle, isn't it hot today?”
“Terribly hot, Madame.”
“Fortunately there is a slight breeze.”
“Yes, Madame, a little.”
“Oh, Mademoiselle, can you imagine when the weather stays this way how many people will go to Saint- Cloud!”
“I am sure, Madame, there will be many.”
“Ah, Mademoiselle, the longer I look at you, the more I am convinced that we have met. Didn't I have the pleasure of seeing you in Bretagne?”
“Oh, no, Madame, I have never been outside of Paris.”
“Well, you look exactly like a young lady I know from Nantes, Mademoiselle. You two could easily be mistaken for one another. I assure you that this in no way is an insult to you, because she is one of the loveliest maidens I have ever seen.”
“You are too kind, Madame; I know that I am not lovely at all. It is only your kindness that makes you think this. And besides, it would not help me one whit, even if I were lovely.”
I underscored my last words with a deep sigh and a few tears welled from my eyes.
“But what is the matter, my dear child?” she said, pressing my hand affectionately. “You are crying! What is it that troubles you? What misfortune has befallen you? Please, do tell me, little one. Don't be ashamed; speak your mind frankly. I have taken a great liking to you and you can be assured that I will do whatever is in my power to help you. Come, my little angel, let us walk to the other side of the Terrasses and have some breakfast at Madame La Croix' who owns le Cafe des Tuileries. Then you can pour out your heart and 'talk freely about your sorrows. It is quite possible that I can be of much greater help to you than you think.”
She did not have to twist my arm after this kindly invitation because my poor stomach was very empty. I followed her, and there was no doubt in my mind that she had been sent to me by Heaven and was going to help me with more than just solid advice. I was sure this kind lady was going to rescue me from the terrible dangers that can befall a lonely girl walking the streets of Paris.
After I had fortified myself with two cups of coffee with cream, and some French rolls, I told her quite frankly about my origin and my profession. I was not as candid about certain other things and I felt it would be more appropriate to heap all the blame upon my mother. For that reason I painted a rather bleak picture of her so that I could justify my reason for having run away from home.
“Holy Mother of God!” exclaimed my benign, unknown benefactress. “The tortures you must have suffered to be forced into such a lowly profession. Imagine, such a charming child, year in, year out, exposed to the weather… the heat of the sun, the cold of winter; to be forced to crouch inside a mender's coop and patch up the boots of every passerby. No, my little princess, you were not born to suffer this. Because — and I surely do not have to keep this a secret from you — when one is as pretty as you are, one does not have to perform such menial labors. And I am sure that I could find something much better for you to do, if you are the kind of girl that is willing to take advice and guidance.”
“Oh, my dearest lady,” I exclaimed, “please do tell me! What should I do? Help me in any way you see fit. I deliver myself entirely into your keeping.”
“That is fine,” she resumed. “We will live together. I have four other girls en pension, and you are going to be the fifth.”
“But, Madame,” I answered prematurely, “how could I? Have you so soon forgotten that it would be entirely out of the question in my present miserable condition to pay even one single penny for room and board?”
“You do not have to worry about that at all,” she smiled. “The only thing I ask of you at this time is your obedience and willingness to accept my guidance. We will handle all other details later. I have a small business proposition and I flatter myself that with God's help you will not only be fully able to repay me but also have enough money to support yourself completely ere this month has ended.”
An enormous feeling of gratitude welled up in me and I almost threw myself at her feet and bedewed them with my tears. I felt a great desire to be taken into this blessed little family. Thanks to my lucky stars my impatience was not tried too much.
CHAPTER FOUR. THE HOUSE
It was around noon when we left the Ter-rasses through the Porte-Feuillantine. A venerable fiacre took us in his plush cab and, after the calmly trotting horses had reached the Boulevards, drove us to an isolated home opposite the rue Montmartre.
The house looked very secluded, nestled between a courtyard and a garden, and I presumed that the lucky inhabitants of this fine mansion must be very happy and fortunate indeed. Silently I blessed the humiliating circumstances which had awakened me so rudely earlier this morning, since the result had been this remarkable acquaintanceship.
I was led into a beautifully furnished large room on the ground floor, and soon I was introduced to my future companions. Their coquetry, their charming — albeit slightly sloppy — make-up, their resolute manners and their self-assured demeanor frightened me so much at first that I hardly dared look up. I stammered and stuttered when I tried to answer their friendly greetings. My benefactress, who immediately assumed that the simple clothes I was wearing could be the reason for my nervousness, promised me to change my outfit without delay and added that I would soon be just as finely bedecked as these young ladies. Indeed, I did feel slightly humiliated, being among women whose morning robes were made out of the finest Indian and French cloth, since I wore only the frumpy garments of a girl of the working class. But there was one thing which made me very curious and also slightly worried. I wanted to know what sort of a business I was expected to enter. The luxury which my newfound friends obviously could permit themselves surprised me greatly; I was not capable of imagining how they could possibly afford these expenditures. I was so humble, or rather, still so inexperienced, that I did not have the vaguest notion of what was literally forcing itself into my mind. And while I was still trying very hard to think of a solution to this apparent mystery, the soup was served and we seated ourselves at the table. Even though the cooking was bad, we corrected its preparation with a lot of pepper. We ate so much that the kitchen personnel did not get a single table scrap.
So far, everything had gone very well. But when two of the ladies had surpassed the boundaries of moderation and the fumes of Bacchus started to veil their minds, one suddenly punched her fist into the mouth of the other, who in turn revenged herself with a blow in her friend's soup dish. In no time at all the table, the dishes, meat and sauce were spread all over the floor. War had been declared. My two heroines flew at each other with equal animosity. Scarves, bonnets, sleeves, all were tattered in an instance. When the mistress of the house tried to get in between and assert her authority, they pasted her — as if by mistake — in the face with a platter of sauce. Since she was totally unprepared for this peculiar caress and since patience obviously did not belong among her
