After much talk and negotiation, during which the party gathered around a bottle of wine opened by Madame Fressard, Sarah was formally entered on the books of the school as a pupil.
Amongst other things Julie insisted on presenting Madame Fressard with eight large jars of cold cream, with which she gave orders that Sarah was to be massaged every morning. Another order concerned Sarah’s mass of curly hair. It was not to be cut or trimmed in any way, but to be carefully combed night and morning. And when Madame Fressard ventured a slight protest at all these injunctions, Julie only waved her hand with a large gesture, saying:
“You will be paid—her father is wealthy!”
The exact sum contributed by George Bernhardt towards Sarah’s maintenance was four thousand francs annually.
During all the conversation that attended her installation as a pupil at the Auteuil school, Sarah remained mute, too shy to say a word.
“What a stupid child!” said Aunt Rosine, who was years before she gained a very high opinion of Sarah.
“Naturally stupid, I’m afraid!” sighed her mother, languidly.
Only Madame Fressard, the stranger in the group, came to the forlorn little creature’s aid:
“Well, she has your eyes—so intelligent, madame!” she said.
And with this the party left in their flamboyant coach, each scrupulously kissing the child farewell at the gate, and each, without any doubt at all, exceedingly glad to be rid of her.