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.