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| Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5361 |
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| Author: | Secret Santa [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Mlle LePattre’s Christmas Mlle LePattre was feeling despondent. It was Christmas day and she had been promised that, if she was feeling strong enough, she would be allowed to spend the afternoon at Die Rosen with the Russells. Mlle had been looking forward to the outing as it would be the first time she had been outside the San since her recent operation. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Although she was much improved in recent days, Mlle had to own to the doctors that she was not up to such a tiring afternoon. The doctors and nurses were all very jolly on this festive day, and those patients as were well enough to leave their wards had all popped in to visit Mlle briefly in an attempt to cheer her up. Some had even pressed small gifts to her as they left. On the whole, though, the San was not the most desirable place to spend the festive season. Mlle had managed to eat some of the delicious, well prepared Christmas dinner that had been brought to her. One of the nurses had just cleared away the remains and settled Mlle down for a nap and the French lady had to admit that she was exhausted. She was soon asleep. Some time later, Mlle roused to the sound of jingling. Still sleepy, she eased herself up on her pillows and tried to work out where the jingling was coming from and what it could be. It seemed to be coming from right outside her door. She watched in amazement as the door slowly opened to admit Jo Bettany and the Robin, the former armed with a set of reins sewn with bells and the latter with a triangle which she was gently playing. “Mes cheres filles!” Mlle cried. “What is this?” Still jingling the reins, Jo pulled up a couple of chairs and sat herself and the Robin down. “You couldn’t come to us, so we pestered Jem until he said we could visit you,” she explained. “We couldn’t bear the thought of you spending Christmas day alone.” Mlle’s eyes filled with tears. “That is so kind of you, girls,” she said. “Thank you. It is rather lonely here today.” “And,” Robin put in eagerly, “it’s not just us. Look who else is here!” Mlle looked up at the door as it opened again to admit Madge and Jem Russell, Jack Maynard and Stacey Benson. Madge hugged Mlle warmly before taking Robin’s chair and sitting the girl on her knee. Mlle was thrilled to see everyone. What had seemed a long, lonely day had turned into a delightful afternoon and her nap had left her much refreshed and ready for the unexpected visitors. Much hilarity followed as Jo and Jack kept Mlle entertained with tales of Christmas morning at the Russells’ and Madge brought news of Gisela, Grizel, Juliet and other Old Girls to which Mlle listened with alacrity. Jem, noticing that Mlle was beginning to look tired, rearranged her pillows and, with Madge’s help, made her more comfortable in the bed. “Come, Joey,” he said, “it’s time for the gifts.” Mlle looked on entranced as Jo, with the air of a magician, brought out from within a copious pocket a small floral ceramic vase filled with some pretty white flowers. No-one was ever able to work out how she had kept the vase upright all this time, nor where she had found the flowers! Jo set the little vase on Mlle’s night table and the room instantly looked more festive. “I hope you like it, Mlle,” Jo said, hugging her former head mistress. “It’s from Tiernkirche.” “I like it very much, my Jo,” Mlle returned Jo’s embrace. “Though where I am to find more flowers before the spring, I do not know!” Jo grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep them replenished for you.” Then it was Robin’s turn and, sitting beside Mlle on the bed in a way which would have made Matey weep, Robin presented her with a beautifully embroidered handkerchief. “I made it myself,” Robin said proudly. “Do you like it?” “It’s perfect, Robinette, and just what I need,” Mlle said, examining the delicately embroidered initials. Robin beamed. Jem and Madge’s gift was an enormous jigsaw puzzle which they had all helped Joey with cutting. “It’ll give you something to keep you occupied during these long afternoons, Therese,” Madge explained. “I know how hard it can be to fill them.” “How lovely!” Mlle exclaimed. “It will keep me busy for weeks!” Jack presented Mlle with a little book of a Saint that he had heard Mlle wanted. She was delighted. Stacey’s gift was a crocheted shawl that had kept Stacey herself warm and cosy during the first months of her own convalescence. Stacey gave it somewhat bashfully, as she still felt in awe of the head mistress, but Mlle’s hug and warm gratitude put her at her ease. “But, Stacey, ma chere, this is delightful. So warm and soft. Thank you!” Stacey glowed. “And now, our final gift,” Jo said, nodding to Stacey. Mlle watched as the two girls got to their feet. “We thought you’d like to hear our solos from the Christmas play, Mlle,” Stacey explained quietly. Mlle lay back on her pillows and closed her eyes as Jo began to sing her solo as Spirit of The Bells from the latest Christmas play. Jo’s voice had that haunting quality of a choir boy’s and Mlle lost herself in its beauty. Stacey’s voice was not quite as well rounded as Jo’s but had a charming quality all of it’s own and her solo once again brought tears to Mlle’s eyes. With the solos over, Jem stood up and declared that it was time they left. “You must rest some more, Therese, but I hope you’ve enjoyed our visit.” he said, wrapping Stacey’s shawl round Mlle’s shoulders. “I have had a wonderful time,” Mlle said, smiling. “Thank you, all, for your lovely gifts. It’s been a lovely Christmas.” One by one, her visitors kissed Mlle and then left, with Joey shaking the belled reins and Robin tapping the triangle. Mlle waved as they left and then settled down for another nap, her faith in Christmas, her school and her friends renewed. |
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| Author: | Liz K [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Sad but lovely. |
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| Author: | JS [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Very nice - I'm getting so Christmassy feeling reading these. |
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| Author: | snowmaiden [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Oh, that was so lovely! Brought tears to my eyes. |
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| Author: | Elder in Ontario [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
That is soooo poignant. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. |
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| Author: | MaryR [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
That was absolutely beautiful, Santa. Lucky Lesley. |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Lucky Lesley indeed  - thank you Santa, that was beautiful 
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| Author: | Lesley [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Awww, that was so lovely. Thank you Santa. 
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Thank you Lesley's Santa that was very moving, |
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| Author: | Elbee [ Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
What a lovely scene. Thank you, Santa. |
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| Author: | Chris S [ Sat Dec 06, 2008 3:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Thank you Santa. |
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
That was so nice. Poor Mademoiselle being stuck in Hospital away from her family like that |
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| Author: | Mrs Redboots [ Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Poor Mademoiselle! Thank you. |
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| Author: | linda [ Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mlle Le Pattre's Christmas - for Lesley from Secret Santa |
Thank you Lesley's Santa, that was lovely if rather poignant. |
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