“ I may have punched him. He looked at me like I was stupid. I’m not stupid.”
ABSURDITY IN TWIST OF FATE! That she should leave Paris to break away from the horrors that resound in her head to this day, only to end up in a small town where Frollo resided in. Thankfully, she had asked Claudine not to reveal her presence to him before he learnt of it and he remained ignorant till now.
But why then did she continue to stay? Why did she not hasten to the next town and avoid the madman altogether?
The answer stood before her. Natural wariness and concern had filled her at once when she understood that Frollo had adopted Claudine. After all, he had taken in Quasimodo out of fear and not kindness and had tormented him for twenty years. So she worried for Claudine, who seemed gentle and soft-spoken, and wondered why Frollo would have adopted her. She chose to stay, to observe and ensure Claudine’s well-being.
At present, her attention was diverted to a man who was complaining of Claudine’s assault. Sympathy however did not lie with him. She was painfully aware of people’s bias against those who were different, and Claudine’s appearance was a source of scorn and mockery for many. She did not fault Claudine for holding her ground. Noting that the injury was not severe, she simply shrugged and walked away with Claudine. The man turned out to be too embarrassed to pursue them.
“Yes, you’re not stupid. I hope Frollo doesn’t treat you like that. Does he? Erm, you realise I don’t think highly of him.”