The Trousseau (3 page)

CLOTILDE
was seated at her desk in the school room on a warm Sunday morning in December. Sunlight streamed through the windows reflecting off a small glass vase filled with bright flowers. Spreading out the note paper from her trousseau, beneath her onyx inkstand in its pride of place, she began writing her first letter from Grande Terre. A supply ship would be leaving for France at the end of the week and it would carry this letter back to Mater Dei. She had so much news to share with Mother Germain and Sister Celeste. Time seemed to fly by as she filled several pages. Then a voice interrupted her.

‘Clotilde, here I am at last.' Satine appeared in the doorway and the two young women embraced as they kissed one another on both cheeks.

‘I'm so happy you have your Sundays free so we can spend them together,' replied Clotilde. ‘Let's go back into my little garden where I've set the table for our lunch.'

‘Something smells delicious! You've made us onion soup, with bread and cheese.' Laughing and chatting they said grace then began to eat.

‘Satine, you must tell me about how you are enjoying your days as a governess? When I attended my first Sunday mass I was amazed to see you take your place at the pipe organ and lead us in the hymns. Your playing sounded so beautiful.'

‘When my turn came to meet with the committee, imagine my surprise when Father Gilbert was there to introduce me to Madame Fleurier, the commandant's wife.'

‘And what did she say to you?' Clotilde queried.

‘News of your musical ability has already reached me, Satine, and I have the only piano here at Port-de-France in our home. Our two daughters are still too young to attend the school but both are eager to learn about music. They will also need the care and supervision of a governess for several more years. And our Church of Saint Joan has no organist. Would you be willing to live in our home and undertake these duties: caring for our two young girls, offering occasional piano lessons and playing for our Sunday masses? You will have a large bedroom of your own, a small sitting room and the use of our library and garden. Sunday and Wednesday afternoons will be yours to spend as you wish. Does this interest you?'

I was so pleased that I said then and there, ‘Yes, Madame Fleurier, I will be very happy to accept your offer. And Father Gilbert, it will be my pleasure to provide music for the church.'

‘I am delighted that everything has gone so well for you,' Clotilde replied.

‘Yes, I am employed in a very grand home by a wonderful family. Father Gilbert has also made the organ available to me on Saturday afternoons if I want to practice.'

‘Remember our first days on the island?' They talked about those wonderful days again when they finally left the ship. Waiting for them on the pier were three women and two soldiers, who embraced the eight young travellers as each collected her luggage and trousseau.

‘Welcome to Port-de-France. It is our pleasure to greet you today. We are all so happy to see that you have arrived safely.' Soon all were ushered into a large cottage set back off the roadway near the pier. Here the men left them in the care of the reception committee.

‘Welcome to all you dear young women. I am Madame LeBec. You have endured a very long and uncomfortable voyage and we have several surprises for you. Come along first to your bedrooms. You will be sharing them, with three of you in each room. Leave your belongings, refresh yourselves and then meet us back in the dining room.'

As they enjoyed platters of cold meat, fresh fruit, cheese and bread, Fontine, their housemother addressed them. ‘You will all want to rest, wash your hair again and have a long hot bath. We have been asked to provide you with soap, hair wash, a nightgown and fresh towels. You will also need some new clothing too, so after lunch our finest dressmakers will measure you for two new white blouses, a day skirt and a muslin Sunday dress. You may each choose the colour and pattern for your new dress from the samples the LeBlanc sisters have brought. We have two sewing machines in the back room so in a day or two you will all look very stylish again. This thoughtful gift celebrating your arrival has been provided by the Empress Eugenie herself. She is so grateful to each of you for your decision to settle here on Grande Terre.'

What excitement those first days held as each young woman chose her new dress, trimmed with ribbons and lace. Attired in a fresh blouse and skirt, they set out in small groups to explore the settlement. At this time there were about four hundred people living in Port-de-France. Along the paved main street were shops selling a variety of goods: clothing, meat, books, household items and food. The back street held a blacksmith shop, a shoe maker, harness makers, hardware goods, seeds and weapons. Above these two business streets were a number of timber cottages built into the hillsides. Each one displayed a carefully tended flower garden near the front door and a vegetable garden at the back. Often a covered porch enclosed two sides of each cottage. The newly arrived visitors marveled at these open verandas, as they were called. All homes faced the sea that always looked so beautiful when the turquoise hue near the shore turned to cobalt blue in the deeper waters. The entire settlement was planned to cluster around two bays and an abundance of trees, shrubs and flowers grew everywhere.

‘It's not as old or grand as Funchal, but is very lovely in its own way,' Clotilde remarked.

‘Port-de-France has a charm and relaxed air about it I find very attractive,' Satine replied. ‘Thank goodness it's not as hot as Batavia either and I'm happy now that we've chosen to come here to live.'

But the LeBlanc Sisters' dress shop was the magnet that drew them back again and again. On display were samples of finished dresses, hanging on padded hangers or draped across elegant chairs. Shelves were stacked with bolts of lovely soft cottons and muslins, shawls, lace collars and cuffs, ribbons, sewing notions and pieces of jewellery. Madame LeBlanc smilingly enticed them with her irresistible wares.

‘Just look at this lace trim with its scalloped edging. Such fine, delicate workmanship! Wouldn't it suit the new muslin print that just arrived?' The girls gathered around her to gaze in wonder.

‘Now don't forget that each of you young ladies will receive a wage when you begin your work. Save your money, then come to me. I will dress you in beautiful clothing. All our women must look their best, for is this not the French way?'

As the weather was warm for most of the year dresses had elbow length sleeves, loose at the bottom or gathered above the elbow. Necklines were open just below the throat, and skirts flared from a high fitted bodice or a belted waist.Shawls were very popular and provided a protective mantle for cooler days or evenings. Skirts ended just above the ankle to make gardening and walking through the unpaved back streets easier. Formal wear, also on display was made from satins, brocades and silks, beautifully trimmed with ruffles, tucks and covered buttons. Yet the practical white or coloured blouses and dark skirts were the clothing worn for most day wear within the home.

Next door was a milliner's shop where a variety of hats for women, men and children were made and sold. Most popular among the ladies were the wide brimmed straw hats, trimmed with ribbon bands and small flowers. These provided stylish protection from the sun and were perfect to wear while walking in bright daylight.

At dinner that evening Fontine addressed the young women once again. ‘Tomorrow you must all wear your new blouses and skirts as our Settlement Committee will meet with each of you. You will be offered several different positions and you can choose the one that suits you best.'

Excitement prevailed the following morning as each waited to be summoned. Clotilde's name was announced first. She approached the door with nervous trepidation.

‘Welcome, Clotilde. We are all so pleased to speak with you first.'

‘Blandine, it's you and Father Gilbert! What a delightful surprise to see you both again.'

‘And may I present Madam Fleurier, the wife of our commandant.' Father Gilbert smiled as a beautiful young woman stepped forward to kiss Clotilde on both cheeks and address her. ‘Dear Clotilde, there are several different places where you could be of service here on Grande Terre, but news of your special talent has already reached us from the ship's company. We have heard how well you worked with the children during the long voyage, teaching them reading, writing and numbers. The government school presently has no teacher and all here are hoping that you will choose to become our teacher. But take a moment first to consider this offer, before you reply to us.'

Father Gilbert then explained to Clotilde where she would be living. ‘There is a section of Port-de-France that you don't know of as yet. It is located near the outskirts, a sort of village within the wider settlement that encloses the civil, administrative and military establishments. Here our soldiers live in barracks or in small cottages with their families. The judge, solicitors, clerks, medical staff and the commandant all reside within these precincts. Our large church of Saint Joan is situated here and is used by most of the settlers for Sunday mass and other events. I am now responsible for the life of the church in Port-de-France. And as well, all of us are able to enjoy our very spacious Government Garden where our families, guests and friends can take the air, free from convicts and the natives. This entire area is fenced and patrolled as our exposed location requires.'

Madam Fleurier spoke next. ‘Clotilde, your school is located in the centre of our enclosure in a large wooden cottage. You will have a single classroom containing twelve desks, your teacher's desk and a small supply room. Behind the class room is a sitting room with a small adjoining kitchen and a comfortable bedroom. These are your living quarters. Behind the cottage is a vegetable garden that includes a small wooden table and benches, should you choose to enjoy the outdoors. We would expect you to grow some of your own food and maintain the flower garden near the front door. As you will receive a wage for your teaching duties, you can purchase the rest of your food and personal needs from the settlement shops. Everything here is within a comfortable walking distance.'

Father Gilbert spoke again, ‘Clotilde, do you have any questions?'

‘No Father Gilbert. You have given me a good explanation of my work and accommodation.'

‘Now we await your final reply.'

‘Oh yes, I am so pleased to accept your offer and become your teacher. I will do my very best to make this contribution to Port-de-France.'

And so it was decided. Blandine stepped forward to collect Clotilde and her belongings. ‘I'll be taking you to your new home now. We have a cart and horse waiting outside.' As they filled the cart with Clotilde's belongings she noticed several boxes resting at the back.

‘These do not belong to me as I've never seen them before,' Clotilde noted.

‘Oh, but they do. Your ship carried supplies for the settlement and among them are items that you may need for the school. Tomorrow we'll unpack them and I'll help you move into the classroom.'

Then overcome with joy, Clotilde and Blandine embraced one another again as they departed, chatting excitedly like two old friends.

After settling Clotilde into her cottage, Blandine left her with a basket of food for the kitchen and a chance to unpack and explore her surroundings. ‘I'll be back tomorrow morning with our eldest son, Henri and his friend Jean, who is very excited to meet his new teacher. The boys can help us unpack your school supplies and will lift the heavier boxes for us. Rest well and enjoy moving into your new home.'

The cottage was clean and simply furnished and by late afternoon Clotilde had unpacked her personal belongings and spent time in the garden surrounding the school. At the front entrance, two oval flower beds were filled with a variety of blooms. The vegetable garden at the back had been left untended for some time and needed careful weeding and new plantings. I'll have to ask Blandine when she comes tomorrow how to go about reclaiming my vegetable garden, she thought. After a light evening meal Clotilde suddenly became very tired. It had been an interesting day. She looked forward to an early night and soon found herself drifting into a deep and peaceful sleep.

EARLY
the next morning Blandine arrived with Henri accompanied by Madame LeBec and her son, Jean.

‘Clotilde, Madame LeBec is the judge's wife and patroness of our school.'

‘Please call me Vivienne from now on, Clotilde and always turn to me when you need something new for the school or have any questions.'

‘I suggest we all look through the supplies in the store room before we unpack the new boxes,' Blandine called out over her shoulder as the three women set to work.

Clotilde was delighted to find a number of large slates, chalks and wipers available for each student. As she counted them out Henri wiped each desk and Jean placed them under the lid. A small round hole was cut into the corner of the desk top and next to it was a groove. This is just like our Mater Dei schoolroom thought Clotilde. There must be inkwells that fit into each hole. Vivienne brought out boxes of writing materials filled with lined writing papers, penholders, steel nibs and glass inkwells for the teaching of penmanship.

‘Clotilde, look at these shelves of books,' Blandine called out.

‘I can hardly believe what's here!' Clotilde's excitement grew by the minute as she viewed shelves of reading books, language, spelling and arithmetic study books, and several large maps. There were so many items to help her with her teaching and her interest grew with each discovery. The new supplies included more paper, scissors, pencils, bottles of ink,several hymn books, folksong collections and a large illustrated story book that would be perfect for her to read aloud to the class. Two flat boxes contained beautifully coloured pastels, together with water colour brushes and paints.

‘These will be for your art classes, if you decide to offer them,' remarked Vivienne.

‘And now I suggest that we all have lunch,' said Blandine. ‘Afterward we'll tell you more about the school program.'

Over fresh fruit, cheese and delicious sweet bread filled with raisins, Vivienne spoke first. ‘You will have eleven children ranging from six to twelve years of age - six girls and five boys. Our school day begins at nine o'clock and carries on until eleven thirty when the children go outside to eat their lunches and play. At noon the church bells of Saint Joan will ring the angelus, after which the children take a few minutes to return to the classroom. You will teach until two o'clock when they may leave school for the day. On Wednesday and Saturday, the school will close at noon.'

‘I can use the remainder of the afternoons to correct the children's work and prepare for the following day,' Clotilde replied.

‘So each Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, and Sunday will always be free for you to use as you please. Be sure to enjoy our beautiful Government Garden whenever you want and do your shopping as everything is open for business on Saturday afternoon. Every Saturday morning Jean will bring you a sealed envelope from me. It will contain your wages for the week you just completed. Clotilde, don't hesitate to call on me if you need to discuss anything that involves the school. I want to help you in every way I can.'

‘Thank you both, Vivienne and Blandine, for all you have done for me. I now feel capable of offering your children a strong teaching program. There are so many materials and supplies here so I will lack for nothing.'

‘Have you any final questions?'

‘Today is Wednesday. Let me set up the classroom during the remainder of this week and on Monday morning I would like to welcome the children to their first day of school. I will be able to teach for four weeks before the Christmas holidays are upon us.'

‘We were hoping you would begin soon as the children are looking forward to school once again. We will let all the families know.'

‘And before you leave me, I almost forgot to ask you about my very forlorn little vegetable patch behind the cottage. Is there someone who could help me establish it again?'

Vivienne replied, ‘Yes, we have a wonderful gardener, Jacques Vallon, a convict. I will speak to his superiors and I am sure something can be done for you. We will leave you now.'

‘Thank you both, and you too, Henri and Jean, for all your help.' After bidding them farewell, Clotilde sat at her desk, lost in thought. I am so happy that I had the courage to leave Mater Dei and sail to Grande Terre. I feel in my heart that my life here on this beautiful island, and Satine's life too, will be filled with joy.