Милий друг
Jealousy
DuRoyhoped,lateron,thatsomeofthebenefitspromisedbyhimtoForestiermightfalltohisshare.TheywouldbegiventoMadeleine’snewhusband—thatwasall—nothingwaschanged;evenhisassociatessometimescalledhimForestier,anditmadeDuRoyfuriousatthedead.Hegrewtohatetheveryname;itwastohimalmostaninsult.Evenathometheobsessioncontinued;theentirehouseremindedhimofCharles.
OneeveningDuRoy,wholikedsweetmeats,asked:
"Whydoweneverhavesweets?"
Hiswiferepliedpleasantly:"Ineverthinkofit,becauseCharlesdislikedthem."
Heinterruptedherwithanimpatientgesture:"DoyouknowIamgettingtiredofCharles?ItisCharleshere,Charlesthere,Charleslikedthis,Charleslikedthat.SinceCharlesisdead,lethimrestinpeace."
Madeleineascribedherhusband’sburstofillhumortopuerilejealousy,butshewasflatteredanddidnotreply.Onretiring,hauntedbythesamethought,heasked:
"DidCharleswearacottonnightcaptokeepthedraftoutofhisears?"
Sherepliedpleasantly:"No,alaceone!"
Georgesshruggedhisshouldersandsaidscornfully:"Whatabird!"
FromthattimeGeorgesnevercalledCharlesanythingbut"poorCharles,"withanaccentofinfinitepity.OneeveningasDuRoywassmokingacigaretteathiswindow,towardtheendofJune,theheatawokeinhimadesireforfreshair.
