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Duroy Learns Something
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Duroydrewhistwohundredfrancstogetherwithtwenty-eightfrancsforhisarticleoftheprecedingday,which,inadditiontowhatremainedtohimofhissalaryfromtherailroadoffice,lefthimthreehundredandfortyfrancs.Hehadneverhadsomuch,andhethoughthimselfrichforanindefinitetime.Saint-Potintookhimtotheofficesoffourorfiverivalpapers,hopingthatthenewshehadbeencommissionedtoobtainhadbeenalreadyreceivedbythemandthathecouldobtainitbymeansofhisdiplomacy.
Wheneveningcame,Duroy,whohadnothingmoretodo,turnedtowardtheFolies-Bergeres,andwalkinguptotheoffice,hesaid:"MynameisGeorgesDuroy.Iamonthestaffof‘LaVieFrancaise.’IwasheretheothernightwithM.Forestier,whopromisedtogetmeapass.Idonotknowifherememberedit."
Theregisterwasconsulted,buthisnamewasnotinscribeduponit.However,thecashier,averyaffableman,saidtohim:"Comein,M.Duroy,andspeaktothemanageryourself;hewillseethateverythingisallright."
HeenteredandalmostatoncecameuponRachel,thewomanhehadseentherebefore.Sheapproachedhim:"Goodevening,mydear;areyouwell?"
"Verywell;howareyou?"
"Iamnotill.Ihavedreamedofyoutwicesincetheothernight."
Duroysmiled.
