Chapter 12, The Baby Book Summary

Léonie's birthday is one week after Thérèse's, just before the summer holiday when Léonie and Madeleine travel from England to France. A baby book records Léonie's first words, and Madeleine will not let her daughter take the book with her. In the voyage across the channel, Léonie briefly leaves one identity behind and takes on another. Antoinette, Louis, and Thérèse greet Léonie and Madeleine as they disembark from the boat. Antoinette's demeanour is stiff and rather bossy, and she comments on Léonie's hair not being properly brushed. Madeleine greets Louis warmly, taking his arm and complimenting him on his beret. Antoinette interrupts, commenting that the two travelers look starved. Léonie enjoys being a foreigner for...