The CBB :: View topic - The trouble with lilies

through

[^/[Print]\]

The CBB -> St Agnes' House

#1: The trouble with lilies - complete Author: Laura V, Location: Merseyside, UK

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:31 pm
—
This is about an event that was mentioned in School at, hope you enjoy it!

“Good morning mesdames et messieurs, my name is Monsieur de la Fonde and I am to take you all on a tour of this my beautiful home city.”

It was now just after eight o’clock and a deliciously cool morning in Paris. The evening before Dick had managed to reserve the last spaces on M. de la Fonde’s tour which had been highly recommended to them by Mlle Lepattre. Their guide was middle aged and was typically French with strong Gallic features. He was immaculately dressed in a black jacket and cravat, and in his left hand he held an ornately decorated cane. He surveyed the group of visitors with an air of superiority.

(“Why is he wearing a cravat Madge?” Joey asked quietly but was immediately shushed by both her brother and sister.)

“I ΄ope you will enjoy very much our leetle adventure. To start with we shall visit Notre Dame, our beautiful cathedral, and we shall finish with a visit to the cemetery at Les Invalides. Do you ‘ave any questions? Non? Then we shall depart. Allez!” with which he marched off a startling speed and with little need for his cane!

Joey stared open mouthed at her brother and sister.

“Les Invalides? But isn’t that where…..” she trailed off as her eyes began to sparkle.

“Yes kid, that is where old Boney is buried,” replied Dick cheerfully. “Do you like the surprise?”

“Dick! He’s not called Boney he’s called Napoleon! But thanks ever so much for letting us be on this tour!” Joey cried as she hugged her brother.

“Perhaps we should get some flowers for the grave,” suggested Madge joining in the conversation.

“Oh, do lets! What flowers do we give to the dead Madge?” Joey was now skipping backwards and forwards in excitement.

“Joey, will you please calm down. Do you want to end up coughing?” said Madge sternly and Joey meekly fell in to line with her siblings.

“Lilies is the answer to your question Jo,” put in Dick who was highly amused at the behaviour of his little sister.

“Then please can we get some lilies?”

“When we get a little nearer to the cemetery, we don’t want to cart the things round for hours!”

After visiting the cathedral the tour group stopped at a café.

The three Bettanys sat down to enjoy fresh croissants (Joey’s request for an eclair had been thoroughly rebuked by Madge) and cups of steaming French coffee. The tour continued and several bus journeys later found them at the entrance to Les Invalides.

“Oh, je suis desole. Unfortunately the gates are locked,” said M. de la Fonde pointed at the large padlock with his cane. “I will take you to another interesting site, it is not far.”

Joey stood pouting as this was going on. She’d bought these lilies with her own money and now she wouldn’t even be able see the grave of her hero, let alone pay her respects! With all the fury that can be found in such a young girl Joey thrust the lilies into the air with the hope of them falling into the cemetery. Unfortunately she did not have the power to throw such a height and the bunch of flowers merely hit the wall and fell back down – right on to M. de la Fonde.

“But what is this?” he cried in shock, then on seeing the forlorn flora on the pavement he lost control.

“Lilies! But why? Who did this?” he screamed followed by several cursings in his native tongue.

Joey shrank back behind her sister who along with Dick had seen the whole thing.

“I most dreadfully sorry M. de la Fonde,” said Dick coming forward. “But I’m afraid that it was an accident.”

“Who did it? It was not you, no,” the guide’s eyes scanned the group, eventually focusing on Joey.

“You!” he cried. “Do you not know that lily pollen cannot be washed away? But look! Look at my beautiful jacket, it is ruined!”

Dick quickly glanced at the small speck of pollen on the right shoulder of the jacket.

“I offer my sincerest apologies. If you will allow it I should like that you send us the bill for any damage done,” he said extending his hand.

“Yes. Yes I think you must! You have caused me great distress!” wailed the man.

Dick quickly scribbled down the name and address of their Guardian on the piece of paper that had been thrust into his hand.

“Once more, I apologise for this misfortune M. de la Fonde. We shall leave your group so not as to spoil the rest of the tour.”

Dick led his sister’s away from the group, Madge silent but secretly furious, and Joey, whose white face was now drenched with tears.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed when they were out of earshot.

“Say no more of it kid,” replied Dick, placing his hand on her shoulder.

#2: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:23 pm
—
Oh poor Joey! Thanks for that, Laura!

#3: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:23 pm
—
How enterprising of Joey - even if it did have repercussions. Laughing

Thanks, Laura

#4: Author: Róisín,

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:47 pm
—
Excellent little episode! I really heard that man's accent there. Thanks so much Very Happy

#5: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:20 pm
—
I could hear him speaking, too! Thanks, Laura.

#6: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:27 pm
—
You would think that the guide would be impressed that she would want to put flowers on Napoleon's grave.

Thanks Laura.

#7: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:22 pm
—
Awww, loved that. Can just see Joey doing something like that!

Thanks Laura.

#8: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:51 pm
—
Nice to see the background to that incident.

Thanks, Laura.

#9: Author: Loryat,

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:38 pm
—

Quote:

Joey meekly fell in to line with her siblings.

For a minute was envisaging phantom Bettany siblings. Then remembered are Madge and Dick. Embarassed

Is this only referred to in HB? I don't remember ever hearding about it.

The CBB -> St Agnes' House

output generated using printer-friendly topic mod. All times are GMT

Page 1 of 1