Парфюмер. История одного убийцы

Chapter 4

           Exactlyonehalfoftheboardingfeeswerespentforherwards,exactlyonehalfsheretainedforherself.Shedidnotattempttoincreaseherprofitswhenpriceswentdown;andinhardtimesshedidnotchargeasinglesolextra,evenwhenitwasamatteroflifeanddeath.Otherwiseherbusinesswouldhavebeenofnovaluetoher.Sheneededthemoney.Shehadfigureditdowntothepenny.Inheroldageshewantedtobuyanannuity,withjustenoughbeyondthatsothatshecouldaffordtodieathomeratherthanperishmiserablyintheHotel-Dieuasherhusbandhad.Thedeathitselfhadlefthercold.Butshedreadedacommunal,publicdeathamonghundredsofstrangers.Shewantedtoaffordaprivatedeath,andforthatsheneededherfullcutoftheboardingfees.True,therewerewinterswhenthreeorfourofhertwodozenlittleboardersdied.Still,herrecordwasconsiderablybetterthanthatofmostotherprivatefostermothersandsurpassedbyfartherecordofthegreatpublicandecclesiasticalorphanages,wherethelossesoftencametonineoutoften.Therewereplentyofreplacements.Parisproducedovertenthousandnewfoundlings,bastards,andorphansayear.Severalsuchlosseswerequiteaffordable.ForlittleGrenouille,MadameGaillard’sestablishmentwasablessing.Heprobablycouldnothavesurvivedanywhereelse.Buthere,withthissmall-souledwoman,hethrove.Hehadatoughconstitution.Whoeverhassurvivedhisownbirthinagarbagecanisnotsoeasilyshovedbackoutofthisworldagain.

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