His manner was polite, but his tone suggested to this hard-working little singer, “Forever after at least a fiacre!”
A few days later he continued:
“Don’t you think you had better put on a new gown, mademoiselle? The public gets tired of seeing the same dresses.”
“But, monsieur, that is the third one I have had in six weeks and I can not manage, with my salary, to have a new gown every week.”
“Well, then,” said the manager, “let me arrange matters for you. You please the public and I am ready to make as fair a proposition to you as I do to the others. I will give you an engagement for three seasons on the condition that you shall dine at least three nights a week in the restaurant upstairs.”
“Monsieur,” answered mademoiselle, indignantly, “when that becomes my métier, I shall manage it myself.”
Among the bons garçons and braves filles of the vie de Bohème, on the Butte, this good Parisienne would have been held in respect and esteem.
Drawing by Léandre
MLLE. DESCHAMPS