The Family Under The Bridge

As Christmas approaches, the Calcet and Roma children grow increasingly excited about the tiny house on wheels that they believe Father Christmas will bring. Tinka tells the Calcets that they can travel with the Roma people in the spring. She teaches the Calcet children about “Saint Sara,” a Roma saint commemorated in a crypt in Provence. Armand knows that Father Christmas will not bring a house to the family. He tries to distract them by telling them about a Christmas Eve party—it is held yearly by the Notre Dame church to feed and celebrate with people who are unhoused. The children worry that their mother will not allow them to attend the party, but Madame Calcet agrees to go. Tinka’s uncle Nikki, who owns an automobile, drives the family to the party. It is the children’s first time in a car and they are delighted by the experience.

At the party, Suzy admires the Notre Dame cathedral across the river. Madame Calcet notices a “fashionable restaurant” above them and enviously says there are people in nice clothes sitting at white tables there (83). Armand dismisses this and takes them to the food being served at the party.