Cosette Fashion
Growing up Cosette had not had proper clothes. Her clothes were all ratty hand me downs from Eponine or Azelma. On one occasion she received a pair of used socks from Mr. Thenardier as a Christmas gift. But she was always wearing threadbare clothes regardless of the season. But when Jean Valjean had saved her and taken her to their current home she now wore such fine clothes. Before she had come to live with Valjean she had never felt warm in the winter. The clothes may not have been fine silks or the most expensive clothes, but they were lovely and she adored them all.
Valjean felt so much enjoyment from buying her clothes. Of course, he had limited funds but he kept her dressed as any fine young child of France would be. She had many bonnets and bows, all different colors. She had four pairs of shoes, Sunday shoes, walking shoes, black boots, and slippers. All the fabrics were lovely, with Cosette loving the light blues and purples.
Though Valjean was not strict he did require Cosette to wear all black during their church service. The dress had a small white collar and white pearl buttons. The dress was a bit longer than her usual dresses and had long billowy sleeves.
Sundays and church events were the only time she was to wear her black boots. She lastly had a silk black ribbon in her blonde hair. Valjean did this to honor her deceased mother, who he could not save. Cosette never questioned this and thought this was normal. Though black was not her favorite color and the dress was scratchy she still adored it.
The two would eat a cold breakfast since no work was to be done as to observe the Sabbath. And would go to Sunday mass. After they would often help feed the poor. When they returned they would eat a small lunch and Cosette would read the Bible to both to help her reading and because Valjean's eyes were not what they used to be. After Sunday was over and it was night, she would slip into the same cotton nightgown. It came up to her neck and was something Cosette had loved when she first lived with Valjean. It had tiny pink bows and reminded her of Eponine's nightgown. Cosette's gown was just as lovely and it made Cosette feel as if she was living the life she was supposed to have had while living with the wicked Thenardiers.
She loved her papa for everything she had. She felt very bad when her dresses would get dirty, stained or torn. Once she had been walking out the drawing room and a nail protruding out from the drawing room door snagged her dress and tore it. She had cried and when Valjean and arrived at the scene he was confused.
"My dear, whatever is wrong?" he asked concerned.
"Papa, please forgive me. I have caught my dress and I fear a great hole has been made. Please, I am so sorry! I will repair it myself! Please do not beat me for this!" she said frantically while starting to cry.
Valjean noticed she still thought she would get flogged or punished if she made the slightest error.
Grasping her shoulder and kneeling down to look Cosette in the eye he said, "Cosette listen to me. Wipe those lovely eyes and look at the hole. It is not so bad. Tis only a small poke like a needle in a piece of cloth. You need not worry about sewing it. Your dress is fine. Remember that promise I made you when you first were my care?" he asked gently.
"Yes, papa," she said wiping her tears.
"Could you please tell me what I promised you?" he said.
" 'Cosette, you are in my care. I will never hurt you or beat you. You are my child and I will be father and mother to you' "she said dutifully.
"Absolutely correct. Remember that. I will never be angry with you for a mere accident. Now come on, why don't we have some tea?" he said patting her shoulder and gesturing to the kitchen.