Ruby (Landry 1)

"I don't want to go into it all now. It does

depress me," she added, eyes wide. "Anyway, I've

tried and I continue to try to do everything in my

power to make Pierre happy. The most important

thing to remember if you're going to live here is that

we must have harmony in our house. Petty arguments,

little intrigues and plots, jealousies and betrayals have

no place in the House of Dumas.

"Pierre is so happy about your existence and

arrival that he is blind to the problems we are about to

face," she continued. When she spoke, she spoke with

such a firm, regal tone, I couldn't do anything but

listen, my eyes fixed on her. "He doesn't understand

the immensity of the task ahead. I know how different

a world you come from and the sort of things you're

used to doing and having."

"What sort of things, madame?" I asked,

curious myself. "Just things," she said firmly, her eyes

sharp. "It's not a topic ladies like to discuss." "I do

n't want or do anything like that," I

protested.

"You don't even realize what you've done, what

sort of life you've led up until now. I know Cajuns

have a different sense of morality, different codes of

behavior."

"That's not so, madame," I replied, but she

continued as though I hadn't.

"You won't realize it until you've been . . . been

educated and trained and enlightened," she declared. "Since your arrival is so important to Pierre, I

will do my best to teach you and guide you, of course;