September had come, and as Leonie sat sewing the collar on a dress, she thought of the two months she had spent with Madam Honore. It gave her intense satisfaction to think how well the two had suited each other. The older woman had been kinder than any employer she might have dreamed of, and Leonie had thrown herself into the work with all of her strength.
She listened as the traffic passed on the street below and once went over to the window, hoping to see Jean Larue. They had become good friends. Madam had insisted that they have him for supper and fixed baked Creole red snapper fresh off the dock. The old man apparently had no family in New Orleans, and now a week scarcely went by but that he came to bring them some food he had picked up from the market, and they always had a special treat for him.
She had seen the Millards in the marketplace twice, and both times Madam had glared at her as if she were a criminal, and her husband had acted as if he was afraid to see her.
She had been back to the convent twice, carrying glowing reports of her new place, and the mother superior had been very happy for her. The convent had given her a strange feeling. Although she had been there all of her life, already her life among the sisters seemed to be something that had taken place many years ago instead of only a couple of months.
Leonie went to Mass every Sunday. She got up early every weekday and more often than not made breakfast for herself and Madam. She had worked steadily, her skills improving under Madam Honore’s teaching. The customers had been more than satisfied with her work. Madam said once with a smile, “They like your work better than mine. They will begin to ask for you instead of me!”
Leonie had gotten to know the shop owners on the street. She did most of the shopping for Madam, and it had given her great pride to think she had learned how to buy wisely. She mused over all the changes in her life in such a short period of time.
Madam Honore interrupted her thoughts. “Mrs. Wilson will be in for her dress tomorrow. How’s it coming, Leonie?”
“Oh, it will be finished in plenty of time. This is such beautiful material. I’ve been afraid I’d spoil it.”
“You wouldn’t do that.” Madam Honore smiled. She sat down across from Leonie and humor sparkled in her eyes. “You’ve made a conquest.”
“A conquest? What do you mean?”
“Monsieur Guignard has asked permission to call on you.”
Leonie stared at her employer. “You mean the butcher?”
“Yes indeed.”
“But—he’s an old man.”
“Why no. He’s only forty. That may seem old to you, but it seems young to me.” Madam Honore studied the young woman carefully. She had become quite fond of her in the weeks that she had been there, and she asked, “What shall I tell him?”
“Why, tell him no. I don’t want him calling on me.”
Madam Honore smiled. “You better think it over. He’s quite prosperous. His butcher shop is a moneymaking business, I understand. And he likes you.”
“I’d rather not.”
“I think you should at least allow him to call.”
“Is that what young women do? I have no experience.”
“It can do no harm. He’s actually a very respectable gentleman. He holds to the old ways, and of course, I do too.”
“Well, if you think it’s best, I suppose it’ll be all right.”
Aubrey Guignard was a very respectable man indeed. His suit was respectable; his words were respectable. Even his shoes were respectable. Everything about him was respectable, including the attention he paid to the two women.
“The supper was very fine,” he said. “I recognize the meat.”
“Yes, you should,” Leonie said. “We bought it from you just this morning.”
Aubrey Guignard was enthusiastic about one subject, and that was meat. He launched into a long discussion of meat that lasted almost until time for him to leave. Finally, when he did rise to leave, the two women rose with him. “It was so nice of you to have me in your home, Madam Honore, and you, Mademoiselle.”
“It was a pleasure, Monsieur. We must do it again some time,” Madam answered.
“Yes. We certainly shall.” Monsieur Guignard put his respectable hat on, turned, and left.
As soon as the door closed, Madam began to laugh. “Well, did you fall madly in love with him?”
“No! I certainly did not!”
“I am not surprised. He’s the most boring human being I ever heard. All he knows about is meat. I will admit he is a fine butcher.”
“I wish him well, but I hope that we don’t have to have him in again.”
“Well, we need to be careful.”
“Careful about what?”
“About how we treat him.”
“I don’t understand you.”
Humor danced in Madam Honore’s eyes. “As long as he thinks you consider him a possible husband, he’ll give us good buys on meat.”
“Madam, you don’t mean that!”
“No, I don’t. That wouldn’t be fair.”
“You must tell him I’m not the woman he needs.”
“You don’t have to worry about the butcher anymore.”
As the two women were cleaning up, Madam said, “Leonie, you’ve done so well. We’re almost out of work.”
Leonie agreed, “We are, aren’t we? But I think I may help with that.”
“What do you mean, Leonie?”
“I have three very good friends. They come from wealthy families. Why don’t I take a day off and go visit them? They are always buying fine, expensive clothing.”
“I think that would be excellent. What are friends for, if not to make us prosperous?”
Leonie laughed. “You don’t believe that.”
“No, I don’t, but if you could get some business, it would be good.”
“I’ll go tomorrow,” she said.
Damita stepped into the parlor, her eyes alight. “Why, Leonie, how wonderful to see you!”
“It’s good to see you, too, Damita.”
“I’ve just gotten back from a long trip.”
Leonie listened as Damita spoke of her travels, and finally Damita asked, “Well, what have you been doing, Leonie? You left the convent, I suppose?”
“Yes. I’m working as a dressmaker now.”
“A dressmaker. Well, you always made beautiful things for all of us. Do you like it?”
“Very much, but I’m afraid I’ve become a beggar.”
“A beggar? What do you mean?”
“I’ve come to ask you if you would consider letting me do some work for you.”
Damita’s eyes flew open. “Certainly! Why not? And we must go to Simone and Chantel.”
“Oh, I’ve already been to see them. They’re both coming for fittings.”
Damita smiled. “What time shall I come?”
“You set the time, Damita. You’re the customer.” The two chatted for a moment about meeting times. Leonie then left the house and returned to Madam Honore’s shop. When she entered, she was bubbling over. “We have three new customers, all rich!”
“Wonderful! I love rich customers. Now, sit down and tell me about them.”
Leonie was excited, and Madam Honore listened. Finally she said, “Are you ever jealous of these young women?”
“Why would I be?”
“Why, because they’re rich. They don’t have to work. They can buy whatever they want, and you have to work for a living.”
Leonie stared at the older woman. “No. I never thought of such a thing.”
Madam Honore’s eyes grew soft. “You’re a wonder, Leonie Dousett. Most girls would be eaten up with envy.”
“God has been good to me, Madam. I am content.”
“That is good. I hope you always will be.”