Chapter XXXVII · LA VIE CHÈRE
Reading edition
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
Beef400
Mutton350
Veal350
Poultry400
Rabbit400
Ham400
Bacon225
Lard225
Paté de foie300
Potatoes325
Carrots325
Turnips450
Cabbage850
Cauliflower725
Artichokes650
Salads200
Radishes500
Oranges200
Bananas400
Figs500
Prunes650
Celery1900
Salt150
Pepper250
Sugar225
Olive oil350
Vinegar225
Coffee150
Macaroni150
Vermicelli250
Rice25
Canned goods200-400
Butter350
Eggs400
Cheese400-600
Milk150
Bread50
Flour200
Pastry300-400
Ordinary wine300
Vins de luxe50-100
Champagne150
Ordinary beer200
Cider400
HEATING AND LIGHTING
Coal250
Charcoal250
Kindling-wood300
Cut-wood300
Gasoline125
Wood-alcohol500
Gas100
Electricity50
CLOTHING
Tailored suits150
Ready-made suits300
Shoes200-300
Hats250
Neckties150
Cotton thread500
Cotton cloth275
Collars150
Shirts150-350
Gloves150-250
Millinery150
Stockings150
Needles500
Yarn500
LAUNDRY
Laundry work150-200
Potash350
Soap550
Blueing200
FURNITURE
In wood200
In iron300
Mirrors400
Bedding300
HOUSEHOLD LINEN
Sheets750
Linen sheeting900
Cotton sheeting900
Pillow-cases400
Dish-towels600
Bath and hand towels400
Napkins500
Table cloths400
TABLE AND KITCHEN
Cutlery125
Plated-ware150
Table china300
Kitchen china200
Copper kitchen ware125
Aluminum ware100
Crystal ware225
Cut glass200-350
Ordinary plates200
Fancy plates150
Brooms and brushes125
Lamps250
MEANS OF TRANSPORT
Railway tickets50
Excess baggage250
Sleeping births400
Commutation75
Taxi-cabs75
Omnibuses35-50
Tramways35-50
Postal cards100
STATIONERY AND BOOKS
Writing-paper900
Wrapping-paper1000
Paper for printing500-800
Newspapers100
Magazines50
Books100
DRUGS AND PERFUMERY
Fancy soaps300-400
Toilet waters200
Tisanes150
Eucalyptus400
Patent medicines150-200
Lozenges250
Powdered drugs150
Prescriptions100
Bottles for Prescriptions300-525
TOBACCO
Smoking tobacco50-60
Ordinary cigarettes40-75
Cigarette de luxe100
Ordinary cigars50
Cigars de luxe100-150
Snuff50
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.