Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 288 A True Sin! (Bonus Chapter for 11,000 Votes)

On the morning of October 1st, the sky over Paris was a clear, pale blue.

An apartment at 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain woke up earlier than usual.

Petty stood in the center of the living room, wearing the new clothes Lionel had taken her to Printemps department store—

A dark blue wool dress, a light gray wool coat, shiny leather shoes, and white stockings.

Alice had also carefully braided her hair into two neat braids that hung down over her shoulders.

She tilted her head slightly as Alice fastened the leather strap of her schoolbag, her expression a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

Lionel checked: "Exercises, pens...did you bring everything?"

Patty nodded vigorously: "Everything is brought, young master."

Lionel advised, "At school, address your teachers as 'Madam' or 'Miss,' answer questions clearly, and be friendly to your classmates."

In fact, these words have been repeated many times in the past few days.

He picked up a small paper bag from the table: "This is your lunch. The school provides free lunches, but I think you might prefer to bring your own."

The paper package contained Petty's homemade butter cookies and a slice of bread spread with jam.

Alice tidied Patty's stray hairs from her forehead: "Our little Patty, you're such a little lady today."

Riding in the carriage hired by Lionel, through the gradually awakening streets of Paris, Petit's face was almost pressed against the window, gazing intently at the scenery outside.

— Shops opening early in the morning, carts carrying goods, and passersby hurrying by.

All of this was similar to what she had seen in the past, yet different, though she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

The "School Street Girls' Municipal Elementary School" is located not far from the Sorbonne. When they arrived, the school gate was already bustling with activity.

Lionel was surprised to find that there were many ornately decorated private carriages parked there.

Well-dressed gentlemen and ladies are leading equally elegantly dressed little girls, gathered here.

This was quite different from what Lionel had envisioned as a public school primarily for the children of nearby merchants, citizens, and artisans, making him feel as if he were back in the Sorbonne.

Soon, he spotted a familiar figure: Count Louis-Philippe de Rohan, the Deputy Minister of Public Education and Fine Arts.

He was standing with a young man in his thirties and a little girl who looked to be about ten years old.

He also saw Lionel and quickly reached out to greet him.

Lionel led Petty forward: "Good day, Minister Roon."

Count Rohan smiled warmly: "Good day, Lionel! Are you also bringing your child to school today?"

His gaze fell on Patty: "Is this the 'apprentice' you mentioned?"

Lionel nudged Petty gently: "Yes. Petty, give my regards to Minister Roon."

Petty curtsied and said, "Hello, Minister."

Count Rohan nodded slightly: "Hello, my child."

He then introduced the young man beside him to Lionel: "This is my eldest son, Alfred."

He then patted the little girl's head beside him: "This is his daughter, my granddaughter, Isabel. Today is also her first day of school."

Alfred has a similar arrogant look to his younger brother Albert, but his manners are more refined.

He gave Lionel a brief nod in acknowledgment: "Thank you for taking care of Albert. I've heard many stories about you from him."

Lionel smiled. "Really? How is Albert doing in Algeria? When will he be able to return to France?"

Alfred nodded noncommittally: "Not bad. As for returning home... it may take another two years."

Lionel said with some regret, "That was such a long time..."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, then Alfred saw another acquaintance, apologized, and turned away. Lionel, of course, knew this was all a "show."

Families like the Count of Rohan would typically send their children to expensive private schools, and their choice of "School Street Girls' Municipal Elementary School" was quite obvious.

—Even the deputy minister's granddaughter is studying here, so who would dare to question the Ferry Act and public education?

Count Rohan smiled slightly: "You asked me before which school would be suitable for a little girl like Petty? This is the best choice."

At this moment, a serious-looking female teacher walked over and began to guide the new students into the campus.

Petty looked up at Lionel, who gently patted her head: "Go on, Petty. Remember what I told you."

After school, the carriage will come to pick you up on time.

Petty nodded and followed the female teacher, joining the other little girls as they entered the school gate.

As she entered, she couldn't help but glance back, and Lionel waved at her.

When Lionel turned around, Count Rohan was already surrounded by reporters.

"...As you can see, my granddaughter, Isabel, will be attending this excellent public primary school, just like the daughters of many of the workers, businessmen, and citizens present here, to receive a high-quality, free, and secular education!"

"This is not just a grandfather's choice, but also the belief of an official of the Republic! Education should not be the privilege of a few, but the inherent right of all French children!"

"Here, children not only learn basic skills such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also develop well-rounded personalities! I assure you that the government will spare no effort in investing resources to ensure that every public school has teachers as excellent as those here!"

Lionel slipped away quietly when no one was paying attention to him.

------

That evening, when Petit returned to 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain, he practically skipped in, his face flushed.

She called out excitedly, "Young master! Miss Alice! I'm back!"

At the dinner table, Petty became the absolute star.

She vividly described what the school looked like: spacious and bright classrooms, shiny new desks and chairs, and stern-faced teachers...

"Our classroom is on the second floor, and we can see a big tree outside the window!"

There are more than thirty girls in our class!

"The baker's daughter, Mary, was sitting next to me. She gave me a piece of gingerbread that her mother had baked..."

She also mentioned the courses—French, arithmetic, history, and a course called "Morality and Civic Duty".

Petty struggled to recall those tongue-twisting names: "History class was about... the Gauls? And that Vercingetorius?"

The teacher said, "We are descendants of the Gauls, but we are French now."

Lionel listened patiently, occasionally interjecting with a question or two to guide her to elaborate further.

He was able to piece together the general outline of this "model school" from Petty's fragmented descriptions.

The teachers there were clearly selected, of high caliber, and the management was very strict, which met the government's expectations for "cultivating qualified citizens."

After dinner, Petty solemnly took out all the textbooks issued by the school and spread them out on the living room table.

There was a French reader, an arithmetic manual, and a thin illustrated history of France...

Lionel spotted the thick book, "Two Children's Travelogue in France," at a glance and felt a surge of joy.

But Patty's words immediately dampened his enthusiasm: "Miss Maurice said that to get into a good secondary school, you need to buy an extra book..."

"It's called... it's called 'The Montiel Secret Scrolls'? It costs 12 sous, young master, shall I buy it? By the way, Montiel seems to be your hometown?"

Lionel's vision went black, and those three words echoed in his mind: "What a tragedy!"

(End of this chapter)