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 that some _rôle_ would be given to me. The very thought of it made me tremble beforehand. 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 St. Thérèse said in her calm voice: “Young ladies, please pay attention, and listen to your names and the different parts: _Tobit_ EUGÉNIE CHARMEL _Tobias_ AMÉLIE PLUCHE _Gabael_ RENÉE D’ARVILLE _The Angel Raphael_ LOUISE BUGUET _Tobias’s mother_ EULALIE LACROIX _Tobias’s sister_ VIRGINIE DEPAUL.” I had been listening, although pretending not to, and I was stupefied, amazed, and furious. Mother St. 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 favourite playmate, and I went up to her and asked her to let me see her manuscript, which I read over enthusiastically. “You’ll make me rehearse, when I know my part, 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 grey, 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. It had really nothing to do with me, but I wanted to be “in it.” The Mother Superior passed by, and as we all curtseyed 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.