CHAPTER XXXVII

LA VIE CHÈRE

H.C. of L. is an abbreviation I see often in American newspapers. From the context it was not hard to guess what it meant. In Paris we call that "preoccupation" (note the euphemism for "nightmare") _la vie chère_. But we never mention it in any other tone than that of complete and definitive resignation. We do not kick against the pricks. We gave up long ago berating the Government and thinking that anything we can do would change matters. We pay or go without. Our motto is Kismet. These are good days to be a Mohammedan or a Christian Scientist. The latter is preferable, I think, because it is comfortable to get rid of a thing by denying its existence.

For the sake of record I have compiled a little table that tells more eloquently than words the price we have paid--from the material point of view--for the privilege of dictating peace to Germany. Is it not strange that peace costs more than war? The greater part of the increases I record here have come since the armistice. The figures opposite the names of commodities represent the percentage of increase since August 1, 1914:

FOODSTUFFS

Beef 400 Mutton 350 Veal 350 Poultry 400 Rabbit 400 Ham 400 Bacon 225 Lard 225 Paté de foie 300 Potatoes 325 Carrots 325 Turnips 450 Cabbage 850 Cauliflower 725 Artichokes 650 Salads 200 Radishes 500 Oranges 200 Bananas 400 Figs 500 Prunes 650 Celery 1900 Salt 150 Pepper 250 Sugar 225 Olive oil 350 Vinegar 225 Coffee 150 Macaroni 150 Vermicelli 250 Rice 25 Canned goods 200-400 Butter 350 Eggs 400 Cheese 400-600 Milk 150 Bread 50 Flour 200 Pastry 300-400 Ordinary wine 300 Vins de luxe 50-100 Champagne 150 Ordinary beer 200 Cider 400

HEATING AND LIGHTING

Coal 250 Charcoal 250 Kindling-wood 300 Cut-wood 300 Gasoline 125 Wood-alcohol 500 Gas 100 Electricity 50

CLOTHING

Tailored suits 150 Ready-made suits 300 Shoes 200-300 Hats 250 Neckties 150 Cotton thread 500 Cotton cloth 275 Collars 150 Shirts 150-350 Gloves 150-250 Millinery 150 Stockings 150 Needles 500 Yarn 500

LAUNDRY

Laundry work 150-200 Potash 350 Soap 550 Blueing 200

FURNITURE

In wood 200 In iron 300 Mirrors 400 Bedding 300

HOUSEHOLD LINEN

Sheets 750 Linen sheeting 900 Cotton sheeting 900 Pillow-cases 400 Dish-towels 600 Bath and hand towels 400 Napkins 500 Table cloths 400

TABLE AND KITCHEN

Cutlery 125 Plated-ware 150 Table china 300 Kitchen china 200 Copper kitchen ware 125 Aluminum ware 100 Crystal ware 225 Cut glass 200-350 Ordinary plates 200 Fancy plates 150 Brooms and brushes 125 Lamps 250

MEANS OF TRANSPORT

Railway tickets 50 Excess baggage 250 Sleeping births 400 Commutation 75 Taxi-cabs 75 Omnibuses 35-50 Tramways 35-50 Postal cards 100

STATIONERY AND BOOKS

Writing-paper 900 Wrapping-paper 1000 Paper for printing 500-800 Newspapers 100 Magazines 50 Books 100

DRUGS AND PERFUMERY

Fancy soaps 300-400 Toilet waters 200 Tisanes 150 Eucalyptus 400 Patent medicines 150-200 Lozenges 250 Powdered drugs 150 Prescriptions 100 Bottles for Prescriptions 300-525

TOBACCO

Smoking tobacco 50-60 Ordinary cigarettes 40-75 Cigarette de luxe 100 Ordinary cigars 50 Cigars de luxe 100-150 Snuff 50

While we decided upon what to do with the Germans, the rest of our enemies, and the very troublesome races we had liberated, the Chamber of Deputies passed a national eight-hour law. This did not bring down wages by the day. In fact, shorter hours of labor led to more insistent demands for higher wages to meet the increase in _la vie chère_. Everyone borrowed from Peter to pay Paul.

On the day the German plenipotentiaries arrived at Versailles, my children insisted on going out to see them. We had to wait until Sunday, when my husband was free. Out we went on a bright May morning. There were six Gibbonses, four of them very small, and one of my American soldier boys. Of course we ate in the famous restaurant of the Hôtel des Réservoirs, where the Germans were lodged. We did not see the Germans. The only sensation of the day was the bill for a simple luncheon--two hundred and eight francs.

"It pays to be the victors!" I exclaimed.

"Those who have anything to sell," modified my husband, grinning cheerfully (God knows why!) as he bit the end off a ten-franc cigar.

"The children will never forget this historic day," he added, handing the waiter twenty francs.

"Nor I," said the children's mother.