“‘What do you mean by your rasp?’
“‘What! I did not lend you my rasp?’
“Madame de Saint Germain (annoyed at such a request in church)—
“‘I have not got your rasp.’
“The other (getting angry and raising her voice)—
“‘Give me back my rasp!’
“They continued so long and so loud that the pupils burst out laughing.
“Astonished at this, the Lady Abbess asked what had taken place; she was told; she sent word to the two ladies to be quiet, and she would send them each a rasp.
“When they returned to the office, they sulked at each other for a whole week, and whenever sugar or things lent were mentioned, Madame de Saint Romuald would at once relate the story of her rasp; how she had once had one, that she had lent it, and that it had been lost. Then Madame de Saint Germain would say that it was not true; and we often amused ourselves with putting the conversation on this subject, so as to see them quarrel.”
On leaving the record office Hélène went to the refectory department, where she spent two months. Her duties there consisted in waiting on the pupils at table, helping to lay the cloth, to keep the refectory in order, and to put away the glass and china, etc.—all useful acquirements for a future mistress of a household. However, although so busy in the refectory, Hélène did not neglect her accomplishments.