Out on the small front gallery she had hung Bobinôt's Sunday clothes to
air and she hastened out to gather them before the rain fell. As she
stepped outside Alcée Laballière rode in at the gate. She had not seen
him very often since her marriage, and never alone.Why does Chopin
point out that Calixta has not seen Alcée alone since her marriage? Does
this statement set up any expectations for the reader? She stood there
with Bobinôt's coat in her hands, and the big rain drops began to fall.
Alcée rode his horse under the shelter of a side projection where the
chickens had huddled and there were plows and a harrow piled up in the
corner.
"May I come and wait on your gallery till the storm is over Calixta?" he
asked.
"Come 'long in, M'sieur Alcée."
His voice and her own startled her as if from a trance, and she seized
Bobinôt's vest. Alcée, mounting to the porch, grabbed the trousers and
snatched Bibi's braided jacket that was about to be carried away by a
sudden gust of wind. He expressed an intention to remain outside, but it
was soon apparent that he might as well have been out in the open: the
water beat in upon the boards in driving sheets, and he went inside,
closing the door after him. It was even necessary to put something
beneath the door to keep the water out.
"My! What a rain! It's good two years sence it rain' like that," exclaimed
Calixta as she rolled up a piece of bagging and Alcée helped her to thrust
it beneath the crack.
She was a little fuller of figure than five years before when she married;
but she had lost nothing of her vivacity.Who is making this observation?
The narrator? Alcée? As you continue reading this scene, think about who
is relating the events, and how they are presented. Her blue eyes still
retained their melting quality; and her yellow hair, disheveled by wind
and rain, kinked more stubbornly than ever about her ears and temples.