Our peaceful convent was thenceforth like a beehive in which a hornet had entered. Our lesson hours were curtailed, so that we might have time to make festoons of roses and lilies. The wide, tall armchair of carved wood was uncushioned, so that it might be varnished and polished. We made lamp shades covered with crystalline. The grass was pulled up in the courtyard ... and I cannot tell what was not done in honor of this visitor.
Two days after the announcement made by Mother Ste. Alexis the programme of the fête was read to us by Mother Ste. Sophie. The youngest of the nuns was to read a few words of welcome to monseigneur. This was the delightful Sister Séraphine. After that Marie Buguet was to play a pianoforte solo by Henri Herz. Marie de Lacour was to sing a song by Louise Puget, and then a little play in three scenes was to be given, entitled, “Toby Recovering His Eyesight.” It had been written by Mother Thérèse. I have now before me the little manuscript, all yellow with age and torn, and I can only just make out the sense of it and a few of the phrases.
The little play was read to us by Mother Ste. Thérèse one Thursday, in the large assembly room. We were all in tears at the end, and Mother Ste. Thérèse was obliged to make a great effort in order to avoid committing, if only for a second, the sin of pride.
Scene I. Toby’s farewell to his blind father. He vows to bring back to him the ten talents lent to Gabelus, one of his relatives. Scene II. Toby, asleep on the banks of the Tiber, is being watched over by the Angel Raphael. Struggle with a monster fish which had attacked Toby while he slept. When the fish is killed the angel advises Toby to take its heart, its liver, and its gall, and to preserve these religiously. Scene III. Toby’s return to his blind father. The angel tells him to rub the old man’s eyes with the entrails of the fish. The father’s eyesight is restored, and when Toby begs the Angel Raphael to accept some reward the latter makes himself known, and in a song to the glory of God, vanishes to heaven.
I wondered anxiously what part I should take in this religious comedy, for, considering that I was now treated as a little personage, I had no doubt but that some rôle would be distributed to me. The very thought of it made me tremble beforehand, and I kept saying to myself: “Oh, no, I could never say anything aloud!” I began to get quite nervous, my hands became quite cold, my heart beat furiously, and my temples throbbed. I did not approach, but remained sulkily seated on my stool when Mother Ste. Thérèse said in her calm voice:
“Young ladies, please pay attention, and listen for your names for the different parts:
| Old Toby | Eugénie Charmel |
| Young Toby | Amelie Pluche |
| Gabelus | Renée d’Arville |
| The Angel Raphael | Louise Buguet |
| Toby’s mother | Eulalie Lacroix |
| Toby’s sister | Virginie Depaul” |
I had been listening, although pretending not to, and I was stupefied, amazed, and furious. Mother Ste. Thérèse then added: “Here are your manuscripts, young ladies,” and a manuscript of the little play was handed to each pupil chosen to take part in it.
Louise Buguet was my favorite playmate, and I went up to her and asked her to let me see her manuscript, which I read again enthusiastically.
“You’ll hear me rehearse, when I have learned it, won’t you?” she asked, and I answered: