Summary

In Chapter 12, Mrs. Harris returned to the House of Christian Dior to collect her newly finished gown but was devastated to learn that she would have to pay duty fees for transporting the expensive garment across international borders. Mr. Fauvel pragmatically pointed out that, even if the design house lowered the cost of her dress, she would still have to account for entering the country with an illegal amount of money. Madame Colbert concocted a plan to ensure Mrs. Harris would not have to lie to the airport agents. When the charwoman approached the customs counter, she boldly declared, “a genuine Dior dress call ‘Temptytion’ in me bag ’ere. Five ’undred quid it cost” (104). The officer took her comment as a sarcastic joke and did not inspect the suitcase further. Mrs. Harris was delighted that she was able to re-enter London without...