Милый друг

           "

           Havingobservedtheeffectofhislastcompliment,hesaid:"Ifyoueverbecomeawidow,Ihaveputinmyapplication!"Thenhelefttheroomhastilyinordernottoallowhertimetobeangry.

           DuroydidnotliketocallonMme.Walter,forhehadneverbeeninvited,andhedidnotwishtocommitabreachofetiquette.Themanagerhadbeenkindtohim,appreciatedhisservices,employedhimtododifficultwork,whyshouldhenotprofitbythatshowoffavortocallathishouse?Oneday,therefore,herepairedtothemarketandboughttwenty-fivepears.HavingcarefullyarrangedtheminabaskettomakethemappearasiftheycamefromadistancehetookthemtoMme.Walter’sdoorwithhiscardonwhichwasinscribed:

           "GeorgesDuroybegsMme.WaltertoacceptthefruitwhichhereceivedthismorningfromNormandy."

           Thefollowingdayhefoundinhisletter-boxattheofficeanenvelopecontainingMme,Walter’scardonwhichwaswritten:

           "Mme.WalterthanksM.GeorgesDuroyverymuch,andisathomeonSaturdays."

           ThenextSaturdayhecalled.M.WalterlivedonBoulevardMalesherbesinadoublehousewhichheowned.Thereception-roomswereonthefirstfloor.Intheantechamberweretwofootmen;onetookDuroy’sovercoat,theotherhiscane,putitaside,openedadoorandannouncedthevisitor’sname.InthelargemirrorintheapartmentDuroycouldseethereflectionofpeopleseatedinanotherroom.