4.
The First Steps.Flora and I are waiting in the anteroom to Maître Sarlange’s office. I feel like a little girl (numb at the prospect of appearing before the school’s disciplinary committee), helpless before the man who is going to determine my fate. It’s different for Flora. She loves and respects her adopted father, her protector. She told me that he calls her “ma chérie” to remind her that she is now his daughter and as such owes him nothing but to take his help for granted.
On the way there, Flora had said abruptly: “I must tell you…Maître Sarlange is very ill. He’s going to die.” Shocked by the news I asked foolishly: “Are you sure?”
“Alas, yes. He has terminal cancer. Inoperable. His wife and children know.”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“Because you’re going to see him a
