THE SCHOOL AT MONTMARTRE (4)

From THE OFFICIAL TRAVELOGUE OF SIR THOMAS CAT, ESQUIRE.
Translated from the Meowish.
Copyright December 1979.


[Part 4]


Thérèsa was very health-conscious, and followed every bit of health advice she could possibly hear, even when one bit of advice was the opposite of another. She had been told she would get bronchitis in her lungs, sinus congestion in her head, and arthritis in her lovely ballerina limbs, if she did not always wear "something over her head" when she went outdoors on the slightest cool day. For this reason, Thérèsa always wore a while silk scarf around her head and neck.

On the coldest days she even pulled it up over her mouth and nose, so that no cold draft could take her by surprise, particularly if she were planning on practicing a few extra minutes before class on the famous Montmartre steps. Then the shopkeepers would hear little puffing sounds as she passed by--for it is difficult to breathe through a silk scarf, no matter how porous, or full of tiny air holes between the fibers, it is.

Occasionally, in Paris, young girls who would like to attract the attention of young soldiers wear white scarves as a signal to them. (An element of surrender is, no doubt, involved in this custom.)

Thérèsa did not know this, so that when young soldiers waved to her, she simply walked on more resolutely than ever, and so fast that dear Schuss could hardly keep up with her. There was eventually a certain Captain Perrault (PEAR ROE), and that is quite a love story, since he--like Schuss--spent much of his life waiting on the steps at the ballet school at Montmartre for Thérèsa to notice him.