Bessie struggles with her French exercise. She sits at the kitchen table in Jason’s house. Jane busies herself at the stove, making them soup for lunch. Outside the window, Ethan and Marie jump in piles of freshly raked leaves; it’s a free day off school.
“Those kids,” Jane remarks, looking over Bessie’s shoulder. “Remember, the article before a feminine noun is ‘la’ and the article before a masculine noun is—”
la“Le,” Bessie finishes. “So ‘la fille, the girl. Le garçon, the boy.”
Lela filleLe garçon“Oui. Now, set your books aside and we’ll have le déjeuner.” She opens the back door and yells to the kids, “Come in and wash your hands. Ethan, put down the rake.”
Ouile déjeunerReluctantly, he does as he is told, and the younger Wallets burst into the kitchen.
Bessie can’t help but notic
