Милий друг
Marriage
Heridealwasastout,rosy,countrylass,asredasanappleandasround.
Thecarriageprecededthemwiththeluggage.Theoldmantookhisson’sarmandaskedhim:"Howareyougettingon?"
"Verywell."
"Thatisright.Tellme,hasyourwifeanymeans?"
Georgesreplied:"Fortythousandfrancs."
Hisfatherwhistledsoftlyandmuttered:"Whew!"Thenheadded:"Sheisahandsomewoman."Headmiredhisson’swife,andinhisdayhadconsideredhimselfaconnoisseur.
Madeleineandthemotherwalkedsidebysideinsilence;thetwomenjoinedthem.Theysoonreachedthevillage,attheentrancetowhichstoodM.Duroy’stavern.Apineboardfastenedoverthedoorindicatedthatthirstypeoplemightenter.Thetablewaslaid.Aneighbor,whohadcometoassist,madealowcourtesyonseeingsobeautifulaladyappear;thenrecognizingGeorges,shecried:"OhLord,isityou?"
Herepliedmerrily:"Yes,itisI,MotherBrulin,"andhekissedherashehadkissedhisfatherandmother.Thenheturnedtohiswife:
"Comeintoourroom,"saidhe,"youcanlayasideyourhat."
Theypassedthroughadoortotherightandenteredaroompavedwithbrick,withwhitewashedwallsandabedwithcottonhangings.
Acrucifixaboveaholy-waterbasinandtwocoloredprints,representingPaulandVirginiabeneathabluepalm-tree,andNapoleonI.
