Милий друг
First Attempts
Onreachingthestreethefeltsadanduncomfortable.CountdeVaudrec’sfacewasconstantlybeforehim.Itseemedtohimthatthemanwasdispleasedatfindinghimtete-a-tetewithMme.Forestier,thoughwhyheshouldbe,hecouldnotdivine.
Towhileawaythetimeuntilthreeo’clock,helunchedatDuval’s,andthenloungedalongtheboulevard.Whentheclockchimedthehourofhisappointment,heclimbedthestairsleadingtotheofficeof"LaVieFrancaise."
Duroyasked:"IsM.Walterin?"
"M.Walterisengaged,"wasthereply."Willyoupleasetakeaseat?"
Duroywaitedtwentyminutes,thenheturnedtotheclerkandsaid:"M.Walterhadanappointmentwithmeatthreeo’clock.Atanyrate,seeifmyfriendM.Forestierishere."
Hewasconductedalongacorridorandusheredintoalargeroominwhichfourmenwerewritingatatable.Forestierwasstandingbeforethefireplace,smokingacigarette.AfterlisteningtoDuroy’sstoryhesaid:
"Comewithme;IwilltakeyoutoM.Walter,orelseyoumightremainhereuntilseveno’clock."
Theyenteredthemanager’sroom.NorbertdeVarennewaswritinganarticle,seatedinaneasychair;JacquesRival,stretcheduponadivan,wassmokingacigar.Theroomhadthepeculiarodorfamiliartoalljournalists.WhentheyapproachedM.Walter,Forestiersaid:"HereismyfriendDuroy.
