Милий друг
Death and a Proposal
"
"Now,letusgoupstairs,"saidshe;hefollowedher.Sheopenedadooronthefirstfloor,andDuroysawaformnearawindow,seatedinaneasy-chair,andwrappedincoverlets.Hedivinedthatitwashisfriend,thoughhescarcelyrecognizedhim.Forestierraisedhishandslowlyandwithdifficulty,saying:
"Youarehere;youhavecometoseemedie.Iammuchobliged."
Duroyforcedasmile."Toseeyoudie?Thatwouldnotbeaverypleasantsight,andIwouldnotchoosethatoccasiononwhichtovisitCannes.Icameheretorest."
"Sitdown,"saidForestier,andhebowedhisheadasifdeepinhopelessmeditation.Seeingthathedidnotspeak,hiswifeapproachedthewindowandpointingtothehorizon,said,"Lookatthat?Isitnotbeautiful?"
InspiteofhimselfDuroyfeltthegrandeuroftheclosingdayandexclaimed:"Yes,indeed,itismagnificent"
Forestierraisedhisheadandsaidtohiswife:"Givememoreair."
Shereplied:"Youmustbecareful;itislate,thesunissetting;youwillcatchmorecoldandthatwouldbeaseriousthinginyourcondition."
Hemadeafeeblegestureofangerwithhisrighthand,andsaid:"ItellyouIamsuffocating!WhatdifferencedoesitmakeifIdieadaysoonerorlater,sinceImustdie?"
Sheopenedthewindowwide.Theairwassoftandbalmy.Forestierinhaleditinfeverishgasps.
