Edna was on her way to Madame Ratignolle's.Their intimacy, begun at Grand Isle, had not declined, and they had seen each other with some frequency since their return to the city.The Ratignolles lived at no great distance from Edna's home, on the corner of a side street, where Monsieur Ratignolle owned and conducted a drug store which enjoyed a steady and prosperous trade.His father had been in the business before him, and Monsieur Ratignolle stood well in the community and bore an enviable reputation for integrity and clearheadedness.His family lived in commodious apartments over the store, having an entrance on the side within the porte cochere.There was something which Edna thought very French, very foreign, about their whole manner of living.In the large and pleasant salon which extended across the width of the house, the Ratignolles entertained their friends once a fortnight with a soiree musicale, sometimes diversified by card-playing.There was a friend who played upon the 'cello.One brought his flute and another his violin, while there were some who sang and a number who performed upon the piano with various degrees of taste and agility.The Ratignolles' soirees musicales were widely known, and it was considered a privilege to be invited to them.
Edna found her friend engaged in assorting the clothes which had returned that morning from the laundry.She at once abandoned her occupation upon seeing Edna, who had been ushered without ceremony into her presence.
"`Cite can do it as well as I; it is really her business," she explained toEdna, who apologized for interrupting her.And she summoned a young black woman, whom she instructed, in French, to be very careful in checking off the list which she handed her.She told her to notice particularly if a fine linen handkerchief of Monsieur Ratignolle's, which was missing last week, had been returned; and to be sure to set to one side such pieces as required mending and darning.