I wondered anxiously what part I should take in this religious comedy, for, considering that I was now treated as a little personage, I had no doubt but that some rôle would be distributed to me. The very thought of it made me tremble beforehand, and I kept saying to myself: “Oh, no, I could never say anything aloud!” I began to get quite nervous, my hands became quite cold, my heart beat furiously, and my temples throbbed. I did not approach, but remained sulkily seated on my stool when Mother Ste. Thérèse said in her calm voice: “Young ladies, please pay attention, and listen for your names for the different parts: Old Toby Eugénie Charmel Young Toby Amelie Pluche Gabelus Renée d’Arville The Angel Raphael Louise Buguet Toby’s mother Eulalie Lacroix Toby’s sister Virginie Depaul” I had been listening, although pretending not to, and I was stupefied, amazed, and furious. Mother Ste. Thérèse then added: “Here are your manuscripts, young ladies,” and a manuscript of the little play was handed to each pupil chosen to take part in it. Louise Buguet was my favorite playmate, and I went up to her and asked her to let me see her manuscript, which I read again enthusiastically. “You’ll hear me rehearse, when I have learned it, won’t you?” she asked, and I answered: “Yes, certainly.” “Oh, how frightened I shall be!” she said. She had been chosen for the angel, I suppose, because she was as pale and sweet as a moonbeam. She had a soft, timid voice, and sometimes we used to make her cry, as she was so pretty then. The tears used to flow limpid and pearl-like from her gray, questioning eyes. She began at once to learn her part, and I was like a shepherd’s dog going from one to another among the chosen ones. I had really nothing to do with it, but I wanted to be “in it.” The Mother Superior passed by, and as we all courtesied to her she patted my cheek. “We thought of you, little girl,” she said, “but you are so timid when you are asked anything.” “Oh, that’s when it is history or arithmetic!” I said. “This is not the same thing, and I should not have been afraid.” She smiled distrustfully and moved on. There were rehearsals during the next week. I asked to be allowed to take the part of the monster, as I wanted to have some rôle in the play, at any cost. It was decided, though, that César, the convent dog, should be the fish monster.