Межзвёздный скиталец

           Buthewasnotbrilliant,andhewasoppressedwithforeknowledgeofdefeat.Ascoreoftimes,byquickandbrilliant,hewasmine.ButIrefrained.IhavesaidthatIwasdevilish-minded.IndeedIwas.Iworehimdown.IbackedhimawayfromthemoonsothathecouldseelittleofmebecauseIfoughtinmyownshadow.AndwhileIworehimdownuntilhebegantowheezeasIhadpredicted,Pasquini,headonhandandwatching,coughedandspatouthislife.

           “Now,deGoncourt,”Iannouncedfinally.“YouseeIhaveyouquitehelpless.Youaremineinanyofadozenways.Beready,braceyourself,forthisisthewayIwill.”

           And,sosaying,Imerelywentfromcartetotierce,andasherecoveredwildlyandparriedwidelyIreturnedtocarte,tooktheopening,anddrovehomeheart-highandthroughandthrough.AndatsightoftheconclusionPasquiniletgohisholdonlife,buriedhisfaceinthegrass,quiveredamoment,andlaystill.

           “Yourmasterwillbefourservantsshortthisnight,”IassureddeVillehardouin,inthemomentjustereweengaged.

           Andsuchanengagement!Theboywasridiculous.Inwhatbucolicschooloffencehehadbeentaughtwasbeyondimagining.Hewasdownrightclownish.“Shortworkandsimple”wasmyjudgment,whilehisredhairseemeda-bristlewithveryrageandwhilehepressedmelikeamadman.