Last Twilight in Paris

In 1953, Louise’s train is delayed, and she doesn’t get home until late. Joe was very worried and didn’t know what to tell the children, but he says he “put them to bed for [her]” (105) as though they are solely her responsibility. The next day, she inspects the crate in which she found the necklace, and it is etched with the word “Lévitan,” which Midge identifies as a prewar Parisian department store. This makes Louise want to go to Paris with Ian. Joe isn’t thrilled with the idea of her going abroad, but Louise feels this is something she needs to do, for herself and for Franny.

She flashes back to 1944, while she, Franny, and Ian are traveling through occupied France. When they arrive at the first camp, Louise is shocked by the emaciated POWs. She keeps Franny company before her show; afterward, she sees Franny taking pictures with the POWs. Privately, Franny explains that the photos are used to help the men escape: They are cropped and used to create new I.D. cards. Louise is shocked; she worries about the danger Franny’s activities pose to their operation. Ian often insists that they must play by the Germans’ rules or risk being denied access to the camps.