Paulette

J'ai enseigné l'histoire du vingtième siècle pendant quarante ans.

I taught the twentieth century for forty years. I taught that the danger was always that the weapons would be used. Not once, in forty years, did I teach a class in which the danger was that nobody could agree who they belonged to.

I have no lesson plan for tonight.

Neuf. Nine.

Nine French families were woken up this morning by an officer at the door because of a decision taken in a room in Washington by people who will never learn their names.

I taught for forty years that this is how it always begins. Not with a declaration. With nine.

Mon petit-fils m'a demandé si nous allions gagner.

My grandson asked me if we are going to win. He is nine. I have taught this century for forty years and the only honest answer to that question is that nobody wins these, and you cannot say that to a nine year old at breakfast.

I said yes. God forgive me, I said yes.