Милий друг
Madame Forestier
SinceMarambothasleftus,Ihavehadnoonetotakeurgentandconfidentialreports,andthepaperissufferingbyit."
M.WalterputonhisspectaclesinordertoexamineDuroy.Thenhesaid:"IamconvincedthatM.Duroyisoriginal,andifhewillcalluponmetomorrowatthreeo’clock,wewillarrangematters."Afterapause,turningtotheyoungman,hesaid:"YoumaywriteusashortsketchonAlgeria,M.Duroy.Simplyrelateyourexperiences;Iamsuretheywillinterestourreaders.Butyoumustdoitquickly."
Mme.Walteraddedwithhercustomary,seriousgrace:"Youwillhaveacharmingtitle:‘SouvenirsofaSoldierinAfrica.’Willhenot,M.Norbert?"
Theoldpoet,whohadattainedrenownlateinlife,dislikedandmistrustednewcomers.Hereplieddryly:"Yes,excellent,providedthatitiswrittenintherightkey,forthereliesthegreatdifficulty."
Mme.ForestiercastuponDuroyaprotectingandsmilingglancewhichseemedtosay:"Youshallsucceed."Theservantfilledtheglasseswithwine,andForestierproposedthetoast:"Tothelongprosperityof‘LaVieFrancaise.’"Duroyfeltsuperhumanstrengthwithinhim,infinitehope,andinvincibleresolution.Hewasathiseasenowamongthesepeople;hiseyesrestedupontheirfaceswithrenewedassurance,andforthefirsttimeheventuredtoaddresshisneighbor:
"YouhavethemostbeautifulearringsIhaveeverseen.
