Милий друг
Death and a Proposal
Ishallnolongerseethesmallestobjects—theglasses—thedishes—thebedsonwhichwerest—thecarriages.Itisfinetodriveintheevening.HowIlovedallthat."
AgainNorbertdeVarenne’swordsoccurredtoDuroy.Theroomgrewdark.Forestieraskedirritably:
"Arewetohavenolampto-night?Thatiswhatiscalledcaringforaninvalid!"
Theformoutlinedagainstthewindowdisappearedandanelectricbellwasheardtoring.Aservantsoonenteredandplacedalampuponthemantel-piece.Mme.Forestieraskedherhusband:"Doyouwishtoretire,orwillyougodownstairstodinner?"
"Iwillgodowntodinner."
ThemealseemedtoDuroyinterminable,fortherewasnoconversation,onlythetickingofaclockbrokethesilence.Whentheyhadfinished,Duroy,pleadingfatigue,retiredtohisroomandtriedinvaintoinventsomepretextforreturninghomeasquicklyaspossible.Heconsoledhimselfbysaying:"Perhapsitwillnotbeforlong."
ThenextmorningGeorgesroseearlyandstrolleddowntothebeach.Whenhereturnedtheservantsaidtohim:"Monsieurhasaskedforyoutwoorthreetimes.Willyougoupstairs?"
Heascendedthestairs.Forestierappearedtobeinachair;hiswife,reclininguponacouch,wasreading.Theinvalidraisedhishead.Duroyasked:
"Well,howareyou?Youlookbetterthismorning."
Forestiermurmured:"Yes,Iambetterandstronger.
