The view outside the old woman's window was the best in the city. The tower sparkled at night, and the boats drifted cozily during the day. On fall mornings like this, the cool light was simply sublime.

Marie always enjoyed the chance to soak in the vista when she brought up the coffee and fruit. "Bonjour, madame," she said cheerfully, but did not receive a response from her ward. She rarely did.

So she arranged the cappuccino, berries, and yogurt on the tray, then went to open the window and let in some fresh air. "Mademoiselle," the lady whispered fearfully, and Marie was at her side in an instant. "Mademoiselle, je suis très désolée, très désolée! C'est ma faute!" Her eyes welled with tears as she begged Marie's forgiveness for some imagined slight.

Marie stroked her hair as she always did during these fits. "No, Madam Coulise, you have nothing to be sorry for," she insisted. "Tout est bien! It is alright." Madam Coulise took a deep, shaky breath, and leaned into the arms of the kind nurse.

But she repeated her apologies, in sporadic whispers, for the remainder of her meal.