Милий друг

           AturnintheBoisisonlyenjoyableifyouhavealadywithyou,andthatisarareoccurrence.Thecafeconcertsmaydivertmytailorandhiswife,buttheydonotinterestme.Sowhatcanwedo?Nothing!Thereoughttobeasummergardenhere,openatnight,whereamancouldlistentogoodmusicwhiledrinkingbeneaththetrees.Itwouldbeapleasantloungingplace.Youcouldwalkinalleysbrightwithelectriclightandseatyourselfwhereyoupleasedtohearthemusic.Itwouldbecharming.Wherewouldyouliketogo?"

           Duroydidnotknowwhattoreply;finallyhesaid:"IhaveneverbeentotheFoliesBergeres.Ishouldliketogothere."

           Hiscompanionexclaimed:"TheFoliesBergeres!Verywell!"

           TheyturnedandwalkedtowardtheFaubourgMontmartre.Thebrilliantlyilluminatedbuildingloomedupbeforethem.Forestierentered,Duroystoppedhim."Weforgottopassthroughthegate."

           Theotherrepliedinaconsequentialtone:"Ineverpay,"andapproachedthebox-office.

           "Haveyouagoodbox?"

           "Certainly,M.Forestier."

           Hetookthetickethandedhim,pushedopenthedoor,andtheywerewithinthehall.Acloudoftobaccosmokealmosthidthestageandtheoppositesideofthetheater.Inthespaciousfoyerwhichledtothecircularpromenade,brilliantlydressedwomenmingledwithblack-coatedmen.

           Forestierforcedhiswayrapidlythroughthethrongandaccostedanusher.