Today we are taking our tea outside in the center courtyard as per Lady Thisbe's request. Clothilde has prepared a beautiful arrangement for us with flowers, exotic fruits, and a variety of pastries. It's a splendid day and it feels decadent to breathe fresh air while being caressed by the sun. After we all sit down, the Lady brings out her notebook.
"I have an assignment for Felice and Clothilde. Measurements need to be taken for the costumes today for everyone upstairs. I need you two to work together to achieve this," she says.
Clothilde interrupts, "but the mistress mam, do you want me to..."
"Yes Clothilde, you are both to tend to the Master, Mistress, and the two officers," says Lady Thisbe curtly. "Horace, you are to help Pet with the deliveries being made today."
I can't help but notice Clothildes agitation.
Clotilde and I head upstairs after tea in due haste. Clothilde requested that I handle the measuring tape, and she will do the notations. I am comfortable with this as I've assisted a seamstress at my past place of employment. Clothilde is not in her best spirits and when I inquire she refuses to answer.
We enter the Mistress's chambers and it appears that both her and the Master are in her room having a discussion. When my Mistress first lays eyes on Clothilde she shouts "You?" with a look of astonishment. Clothilde puts her head down. The mistress makes her way over to her and looks at her up and down. "I was certain I'd never see you again, and in my home?" she says.
I interrupt respectfully, "Mistress, shall we take your measurements first or the Masters?"
She turns her head to look at me very astounded. "You are all about business, aren't you? You are a perfectly proper maid, regardless of your weak constitution. Benoir, let these maids take your measurements first," she says turning to her quiet husband.
"Where shall I stand", he asks politely.
I start to speak when the Mistress interrupts, "stand by the window where there is plenty of light."
I start to work my way over and look back at Clothilde. She is rummaging for the pen and I only hope to get this done quickly. First I measure my Masters upper body including his neck and torso. He is standing so stiffly and I can feel the Mistress's eyes on the back of my neck. I recount the measurements to Clothilde and can hear her scribbling with her pen. When I start to move to his lower body I can't help but having a recollection of my last visit to this room. I run the measuring tape around my Master's hip area, when my hand briefly touches something hard like metal. I turn to face Clothilde to give her the measurements when I see the Mistress's face right before me.
"Allow me to take the measurement," she says. She takes the tape from me and I stand back with Clothilde. She roughly swings the tape around his hips and gives me his measurement. "I think Benoir should remove his trousers so we can get a more accurate measurement," she says.
"No, please!", whines Benoit.
"With the costume you will be wearing, we need it to fit properly. Let these maids do their job!" she demands.
Without anymore objections from her husband, she begins to unbuckle his trousers. They fall straight to the floor and I am beheld once again by an incomprehensible vision. The locked iron cage on her husbands genitalia. And now I recall why I swooned a fortnight ago.
She takes his measurement very tightly. There is nothing tender or gentle about her movements. The dimensions that she recounts to me are not that far off from the one previously, but she believes it's very significant. The Mistress proceeds to hand me the tape, when she changes her mind and hands it to Clothilde.