An Initiation of Sorts
Cosette bit her lip as she watched the sun sink lower in the now golden sky. She drew her small coat more tightly around her as she glanced towards the walled in house where Babet and some men had disappeared into. As she rubbed her hands for warmth, she walked up to Musichetta, who was standing as a lookout.
"Why can't they wait for someone to let them in?" she asked.
Musichetta adjusted her bonnet. "It's quite complicated," she said tersely. The older girl scuffed her boots uncomfortably. "They have to make a living."
Cosette nodded slowly. "How?"
"Ah..." Musichetta began before looking around furtively. "You'll understand one day, in time."
The little girl sighed. "Everyone tells me that. Even Montparnasse. Will I ever be big enough?" she asked.
Musichetta took Cosette's shoulders firmly. "Cosette, there are some things that little girls like you shouldn't ever see. I've seen them, and believe me, they won't make you happy," she said before trailing off awkwardly.
"Like what Tatiana talks about?" Cosette asked.
Musichetta nodded. "That's one," she said before drawing the child closer. "I'll explain later, but right now you have to run to the wall and tell Monsieur Babet to hurry."
Cosette turned around and noticed what seemed like two inspectors talking at a street corner. "It's just the gendarmes..." she said in a whisper before fleeing towards the house.
The little girl found a small hole in the wall, half-hidden by some dead vines Carefully pushing the debris aside, she tossed a small stone in the opening. The pebble glanced against a windowsill, but that was enough.
"What now?" Babet asked, opening the window slightly.
"Gendarmes!" Cosette said through gritted teeth.
Babet turned back inside. "The mome's seen something. We have to go!' he said. In the meantime, Cosette fled back towards where Musichetta was waiting.
"We have to go then," the grisette said, taking Cosette's hand. "Better not to be seen here!"
"But what about them?" Cosette asked, glancing back towards the house.
"They'll be fine. That's just the way they do things," Musichetta said, leading her off.