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their own community and now will rally around the Bolducs. And
the Yankees, threatened by la Survivance, will demonstrate the worst
sort of prejudice, as only they are capable of. This has been simmer-
ing for years, it is always there, and occasionally there is an event,
like this suit, that brings it to the fore. This is Sears s doing, I know
it is. He has nothing to lose from this, and everything to gain. In-
deed, I suspect that is why he has taken the case. For the publicity.
He certainly is not in it for the fees.
But Olympia has another thought, one she voices to Tucker. To
me, this gesture has the imprint of Zachariah Cote all about it, she
says. This is how he would repay you for having shredded him on
the stand yesterday.
Tucker looks at Olympia and then seems to see her face for the
first time.
Miss Biddeford, he says, putting the paper down. Here I have
been ranting on about class warfare, when, of course, the hurt is to
you.
You tried to warn me about this, she says.
Yes, but a warning is nothing compared to the shock of the real-
ity. I know that.
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Tucker removes the newspapers from the table and puts them in
his case. Are you sure you wish to continue with this case? he asks.
It is not too late to withdraw your petition.
I am glad my father was not here to see this, Olympia says,
standing and walking to the window. What is this la Survivance?
she asks, looking down at the crowd. I know it means survival, but
in this context?
It is the rallying cry of the Franco-American community. To
keep their culture and their language pure and uncorrupted by the
influence of the Yankees. An effort, I might add, that history has
shown to be doomed to failure, which I think makes the Francos all
the more determined. Of course, you and I know that this suit is not
about class or culture, but they will have it differently.
Are you sure? she asks. Are you so sure this is not about class or
culture?
I have not thought so, Tucker says. But it shall become so
now.
" " "
In the small hearing chamber, the sounds of the growing crowd out-
side can be heard through the sole, shrouded window. Albertine
looks frightened and clutches the hand of her husband. Judge Little-
field enters the chamber, and even he, Olympia notes, appears to be
somewhat rattled.
I had hoped to handle this affair privately behind closed doors,
Littlefield says at once when he is seated, which is where it should
remain. But occasionally, through no fault of the court, a legal affair
is made public, and that public determines it has need to be witness
to the facts of the case. This private dispute has found its way into
the newspapers, and I hope I shall never discover that any of the par-
ties present in this room has been responsible for this breach of con-
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fidentiality. Littlefield glares pointedly at Sears, who, in turn, looks
startled and bares his palms, as if to say: It was not I.
When a case has been made public, Littlefield continues, and
the public decides it is being denied access to it, it is possible that
one or both parties may be injured. Therefore, it is with great reluc-
tance and after much deliberation that I have made the decision to
sit in public. We shall now adjourn to a larger chamber, and as I do
not wish to expose any of us to personal injury from the crowd that
has gathered outside, I shall ask the bailiff to escort you through
the entrance behind me. The public shall be let into the chamber
through another entrance. Bailiff?
Tucker waits for Sears to show Albertine and Telesphore Bolduc
through the door behind the judge before he leads Olympia to this
exit. Taking her arm, they pass through the door into what seems
like a dark warren of tiny chambers, and Olympia thinks of lambs
being led to the slaughter. Because the way is murky and labyrin-
thine, Olympia instinctively draws closer to Tucker. For part of the
way, there are no lights at all, and he puts his arm around her shoul-
der to guide her. It is odd to feel a man s protective touch again.
When they approach the entry to the assigned hearing room,
Olympia can hear shouts of encouragement to Albertine and Teles-
phore. Tucker takes her hand.
Mr. Tucker, I am more than a little apprehensive, she says, look-
ing down at their clasped hands.
Miss Biddeford, he says, there is something I should like to say
to you.
In the twilight of the chambers, all that she can see is the sugges-
tion of a face, his eyes.
I know that this is a dreadful moment, he says.
Mr. Tucker, she says.
It is only that I wish to say how much I have admired your
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courage and that I have hope that one day we shall have occasion to
be friends and not merely colleagues.
Olympia withdraws her hand. You have picked an exceedingly
odd time to announce your admiration, she says.
Yes. Indeed. I have. But is there ever an opportune time and
place for such pronouncements?
No, perhaps not.
Olympia considers Tucker. I should not like to quash hope in
any person, having much need of it myself, she says carefully. And
I should particularly not want to disappoint you, since I am already
more grateful to you than I can say. But I cannot offer any person
more than I can give.
I understand.
Please call me Olympia. It is absurd of us to stand on ceremony
when we are surrounded by too much pomp and protocol already.
Thank you, Olympia, he says.
My God, Tucker, says Judge Littlefield, emerging from the
gloom and startling them both. If I discover that it was Sears who
has caused this pandemonium, I shall have him disbarred. Tell me it
was not you.
No, sir, says Tucker, more than slightly flustered to have been
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