Chapter 15, The Carpets Summary

Thérèse and Léonie help Victorine dust the main salon. Victorine tells them how the Germans were billeted all over the village, with officers staying at the Martin estate. The floors are marked by their boots, and the original red tiles are permanently ruined. Antoinette has had carpet put down to cover these marks. One of the village girls who came to help with chores at the house was billeted in the back bedroom. Victorine describes how the girl used to go to one of the officer's rooms at night. The Martin family still does not buy goods from the bakery that the woman now runs. Thérèse realizes that the girl must be a collaborator, and Victorine replies: "Vive la France! Vive de Gaulle!"

Chapter 15, The Carpets Analysis

The marks...