Милий друг
Madame Forestier
Firsthedrankhiscoffee,whichhefearedheshouldletfalluponthecarpet;thenhesoughtapretextforapproachingthemanager’swifeandcommencingaconversation.Suddenlyheperceivedthatsheheldanemptycupinherhand,andasshewasnotnearatable,shedidnotknowwheretoputit.Herushedtowardher:
"Allowme,Madame."
"Thankyou,sir."
Hetookawaythecupandreturned:"Ifyou,butknew,Madame,whatpleasantmoments‘LaVieFrancaise’affordedme,whenIwasinthedesert!ItisindeedtheonlypaperonecarestoreadoutsideofFrance;itcontainseverything."
Shesmiledwithamiableindifferenceasshereplied:"M.Walterhadagreatdealoftroubleinproducingthekindofjournalwhichwasrequired."
TheytalkedofParis,thesuburbs,theSeine,thedelightsofsummer,ofeverythingtheycouldthinkof.FinallyM.NorbertdeVarenneadvanced,aglassofliqueurinhishand,andDuroydiscreetlywithdrew.Mme.deMarelle,whowaschattingwithherhostess,calledhim:"So,sir,"shesaidbluntly,"youaregoingtotryjournalism?"ThatquestionledtoarenewaloftheinterruptedconversationwithMme.Walter.InherturnMme.deMarellerelatedanecdotes,andbecomingfamiliar,laidherhanduponDuroy’sarm.Hefeltthathewouldliketodevotehimselftoher,toprotecther—andtheslownesswithwhichherepliedtoherquestionsindicatedhispreoccupation.Suddenly,withoutanycause,Mme.
