Part 1, Storm In June: Chapters 15 and 16 Summary

The small group of people observed occasionally by Corte and Florence—the woman with the bandaged head named Hortense, her nursing sister-in-law, Aline and her baby, and Hortense's brother, Jules are now eating Gabriel Corte's fancy food from the basket they have stolen from him. It includes champagne and foie gras. Hortense is extremely and automatically hateful and bitter toward the rich, having been a servant most of her life and recently having worked at an auto factory in her husband's place. Her husband has been conscripted to fight in the war, not having any "privileges, exemptions, connections" like those of the middle class. Hortense is familiar with Corte and Florence, having seen them when she worked for a countess. She calls Corte a madman. Hortense is highly capable and has worked...