Only One Beauty {condensed} by Paula Shene (free reads TXT) 📕

Manet’s Railway picture. I remember this moment well!

Papa had been away on business. Madam {my mother} said he is an important person who had ‘Heads of State’ quaking in their boots. Pshaw! Papa is the most gentle of men. He drew beautiful pictures, so life like, it was as if the person could walk off the page.

We were waiting at the rail station for Papa to arrive. Madam got dressed today in her ‘railway meeting outfit’ with her brown bonnet and coral colored flowers. Her black velvet choker matches the ribbon in my blond hair. Her dress of blue with the white piping makes her fair complexion and ginger hair look exquisite. She is so beautiful and I look like Papa. He is handsome

but I am a girl and I want to be called beautiful; not handsome.

She did let me wear my favorite dress because it complemented hers. My dress was white and matched her frilly blouse. It is warm and that is good because my dress is almost sleeveless; just tiny caps for sleeves. I feel beautiful in this dress even though Madam says there is room for only one beauty so I must settle for handsome.

Papa traveled back to Paris with his friend who drew this picture. Monsieur Manet is an Impressionist painter. He uses broad strokes when he sketches and paints.

Monsieur Manet is the same age as the railway system. Madam says the railway is in its infancy but I think anything over thirty years should be considered old.

Papa says I am beautiful. He

would have put my face in the picture but Monsieur Manet said my big blue and white bow was needed to balance Madam’s figure. I think he agrees with Madam - only one beauty is allowed.

Publication Date: 01-31-2011

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