"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;