,*APT] #ae 
,NOVEMB] #b 

#aiai 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,OCTAVE ,MIRBEAU 

,AU?OR 3 ,B5JAM9 ,R4 ,TUCK] 

,TEXT 3 

,JOSEPH />T$ = ,*]B\RG YE/]DAY MORN+1 AS HAD BE5 AGRE$4 ,ON COM+ D[N /AIRS1 ,I F9D HIM ALREADY GONE4 ,M>IANNE1 HALF AWAKE1 ) SWOLL5 EYES & HAWK+ ?ROAT1 IS PUMP+ WAT]4 ,! PLATE FROM :I* ,JOSEPH HAS JU/ EAT5 HIS S\P1 & ! EMPTY CID]-PIT*]1 >E /ILL ON ! KIT*5 TABLE4 ,I AM ANXI\S1 & AT ! SAME TIME ,I AM CONT5T1 = ,I FEEL ?AT1 />T+ FROM TO-DAY1 A NEW LIFE IS AT LA/ PREP>+ = ME4 ,! SUN HAS SC>CELY RIS52 ! AIR IS COLD4 ,BEYOND ! G>D5 ! C\NTRY IS /ILL SLEEP+ UND] A CURTA9 ( FOG1 & 9 ! DI/ANCE1 COM+ FROM AN 9VISIBLE VALLEY1 ,I HE> ! V]Y FEEBLE S\ND ( A LOCOMOTIVE :I/LE4 ,IT IS ! TRA9 ?AT BE>S ,JOSEPH & MY DE/9Y4 ,I CAN EAT NO BREAKFA/2 IT SEEMS TO ME ?AT SOME?+ HUGE & HEAVY FILLS MY /OMA*4 ,I NO LONG] HE> ! :I/LE4 ,! FOG IS ?ICK5+2 IT HAS 5T]$ ! G>D54 

,& IF ,JOSEPH W]E NEV] TO COME BACK8 

,ALL DAY LONG ,I HAVE BE5 DI/RACT$1 N]V\S1 EXTREMELY AGITAT$4 ,NEV] DID ! H\SE WEI< MORE HEAVILY UPON ME2 NEV] DID ! LONG CORRIDORS SEEM MORE DISMAL1 MORE ICILY SIL5T2 NEV] HAVE ,I SO MU* DETE/$ ! CRABB$ FACE & %RILL VOICE ( ,MADAME4 ,IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK4 ,I HAVE HAD ) ,MADAME A V]Y VIOL5T SC5E1 9 CONSEQU5CE ( :I* ,I REALLY ?\<T ?AT ,I %\LD BE OBLIG$ TO GO4 ,& ,I ASK MYSELF :AT ,I AM GO+ TO DO DUR+ !SE SIX DAYS1 )\T ,JOSEPH4 ,I DREAD ! 5NUI ( BE+ ALONE1 AT MEALS1 ) ,M>IANNE4 ,I REALLY NE$ SOMEBODY TO TALK TO4 

,AS A RULE1 AS SOON AS IT COMES NI<T1 ,M>IANNE1 UND] ! 9FLU5CE ( DR9K1 FALLS 9TO A /ATE ( COMPLETE /UPEFACTION4 ,H] BRA9 BECOMES TORPID2 H] TONGUE BECOMES ?ICK2 H] LIPS HANG & %9E LIKE ! WORN BR9K ( AN OLD WELL2 & %E IS SAD1 SAD TO ! PO9T ( WEEP+4 ,I CAN GET NO?+ \T ( H] BUT LITTLE PLA9TS1 LITTLE CRIES1 SOME?+ LIKE ! PUL+ ( A *ILD4 ,NEV]!LESS1 LA/ NI<T1 LESS DRUNK ?AN USUAL1 %E CONFID$ TO ME1 AMID NEV]-5D+ GROANS1 ?AT %E IS AFRAID %E IS 9 TR\BLE4 ,WELL1 ?AT CAPS ! CLIMAX6 ,MY FIR/ IMPULSE IS TO LAU<4 ,BUT SOON ,I FEEL A KE5 SORR[1--SOME?+ LIKE ! CUTT+ ( A LA% 9 ! PIT ( MY /OMA*4 ,SUPPOSE IT W]E ?R\< ,JOSEPH8 ,I REMEMB] ?AT1 ON ! DAY ( MY >RIVAL H]E1 ,I AT ONCE SUSPECT$ !M4 ,BUT S9CE !N NO?+ HAS HAPP5$ TO JU/IFY ?IS /UPID SUSPICION4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y4 ,NO1 NO1 IT IS IMPOSSIBLE4 ,IT CANNOT BE4 ,I ASK3 

0,Y\ >E SURE1 ,M>IANNE80 

0,SURE8 ,NO10 %E SAYS2 0,I AM ONLY AFRAID40 

0,& ?R\< :OM80 

,%E HESITATES TO ANSW]2 !N1 SUDD5LY1 ) A SORT ( PRIDE1 %E DECL>ES3 

0,?R\< ,MONSIEUR40 

,?IS TIME ,I CAME NE> BUR/+ ) LAU<T]4 ,M>IANNE1 MI/AK+ MY LAU< = ONE ( ADMIRATION1 BEG9S TO LAU<1 TOO4 

0,YES1 YES1 ?R\< ,MONSIEUR10 %E REPEATS4 0,I AM GO+ TO SEE ,MADAME ,G\9 TO-MORR[40 

,I FEEL A REAL PITY = ?IS POOR WOMAN :OSE BRA9 IS SO D>K & :OSE IDEAS >E SO OBSCURE4 ,OH6 H[ MELAN*OLY & LAM5TABLE %E IS6 ,& :AT IS GO+ TO HAPP5 TO H] N[8 ,AN EXTRAORD9>Y ?+1--LOVE HAS GIV5 H] NO RADIANCE1 NO GRACE4 ,%E HAS NOT ?AT HALO ( LI<T ) :I* VOLUPTU\SNESS SURR\NDS ! UGLIE/ FACES4 ,%E HAS REMA9$ ! SAME1--HEAVY1 FLABBY1 LUMPY4 

,I LEFT H] ) A SOME:AT HEAVY HE>T4 ,N[ ,I LAU< NO MORE2 ,I WILL NEV] LAU< AT ,M>IANNE AGA91 & ! PITY ?AT ,I FEEL = H] TURNS 9TO A REAL & ALMO/ PA9FUL EMOTION4 

,BUT ,I FEEL ?AT MY EMOTION ESPECIALLY CONC]NS MYSELF4 ,ON RETURN+ TO MY ROOM1 ,I AM SEIZ$ ) A SORT ( %AME & GREAT DISC\RAGEM5T4 ,ONE %\LD NEV] REFLECT UPON LOVE4 ,H[ SAD LOVE IS AT BOTTOM6 ,& :AT DOES IT LEAVE BEH9D8 ,RIDICULE1 BITT]NESS1 OR NO?+ AT ALL4 ,:AT REMA9S TO ME N[ ( ,MONSIEUR ,JEAN1 :OSE PHOTOGRAPH IS ON P>ADE ON ! MANTEL1 9 ITS R$ PLU% FRAME8 ,NO?+1 EXCEPT MY DISAPPO9TM5T AT HAV+ LOV$ A VA9 & HE>TLESS IMBECILE4 ,CAN ,I REALLY HAVE LOV$ ?IS 9SIPID BEAUTY1 ) HIS :ITE & UNHEAL?Y FACE1 HIS REGULATION BLACK MUTTON-*OPS1 & HIS HAIR P>T$ D[N ! MIDDLE8 ,?IS PHOTOGRAPH IRRITATES ME4 ,I CAN NO LONG] HAVE CONT9UALLY BE=E ME ?OSE TWO /UPID EYES ?AT LOOK AT ME ) ! UN*ANGEABLE LOOK ( AN 9SOL5T & S]VILE FLUNKY4 ,OH6 NO1 LET IT GO TO KEEP COMPANY ) ! O!RS1 AT ! BOTTOM ( MY TRUNK1 P5D+ ! TIME :5 ,I %ALL MAKE ( MY MORE & MORE DETE/$ PA/ A FIRE ( JOY & A%ES4 

,& ,I ?9K ( ,JOSEPH4 ,:]E IS HE AT ! PRES5T MOM5T8 ,:AT IS HE DO+8 ,IS HE EV5 ?9K+ ( ME8 ,UND\BT$LY HE IS 9 ! LITTLE CAFE4 ,HE IS LOOK+1 DISCUSS+1 MEASUR+2 HE IS PICTUR+ TO HIMSELF ! EFFECT ?AT ,I %ALL PRODUCE AT ! B>1 BE=E ! MIRROR1 AMID ! DAZZL+ ( ! GLASSES & ! MULTI-COLOR$ BOTTLES4 ,I WI% ?AT ,I KNEW ,*]B\RG1 ITS /REETS1 ITS SQU>ES1 ITS H>BOR1 ?AT ,I MI<T REPRES5T ,JOSEPH TO MYSELF GO+ & COM+1 CONQU]+ ! CITY AS HE HAS CONQU]$ ME4 ,I TURN & TURN AGA9 9 MY B$1 A LITTLE FEV]I%4 ,MY ?\<T GOES FROM ! =E/ ( ,RAILLON TO ,*]B\RG1 FROM ! BODY ( ,CLAIRE TO ! LITTLE CAFE4 ,&1 AFT] A PA9FUL P]IOD ( 9SOMNIA1 ,I F9ALLY GO (F TO SLEEP ) ! /]N & SEV]E IMAGE ( ,JOSEPH BE=E MY EYES1 ! MOTIONLESS IMAGE ( ,JOSEPH \TL9+ ITSELF 9 ! DI/ANCE AGA9/ A D>K & *OPPY BACKGR\ND1 TRAV]S$ BY :ITE MA/S & R$ Y>DS4 

,TO-DAY1 ,SUNDAY1 ,I PAID A VISIT 9 ! AFT]NOON TO ,JOSEPH'S ROOM4 ,! TWO DOGS FOLL[ ME EAG]LY4 ,!Y SEEM TO BE ASK+ ME :]E ,JOSEPH IS4 ,A LITTLE IRON B$1 A L>GE CUPBO>D1 A SORT ( L[ COMMODE1 A TABLE1 TWO *AIRS1 ALL 9 :ITE-WOOD1 & A PORTE-MANTEAU1 :I* A GRE5 LU/]+ CURTA91 RUNN+ ON A ROD1 PROTECTS FROM ! DU/1--!SE CON/ITUTE ! FURNI%+S4 ,?\< ! ROOM IS NOT LUXURI\S1 IT IS EXTREMELY ORD]LY & CLEAN4 ,IT HAS SOME?+ ( ! RIGIDITY & AU/]ITY ( A MONK'S CELL 9 A CONV5T4 ,ON ! :ITE-WA%$ WALLS1 BETWE5 ! PORTRAITS ( ,D]\L$E & ,G5]AL ,M]CI]1 HOLY PICTURES UNFRAM$1--,VIRG9S1 AN ,ADORATION ( ! ,MAGI1 A ,MASSACRE ( ! ,9NOC5TS1 A VIEW ( ,P>ADISE4 ,ABOVE ! B$ A L>GE CRUCIFIX ( D>K WOOD1 S]V+ AS A HOLY-WAT] BAS91 & B>R$ ) A BRAN* ( CONSECRAT$ BOX4 

,IT IS NOT V]Y DELICATE1 TO BE SURE1 BUT ,I C\LD NOT RESI/ MY VIOL5T DESIRE TO SE>* EV]Y:]E1 9 ! HOPE1 VAGUE ?\< IT W]E1 ( DISCOV]+ SOME ( ,JOSEPH'S SECRETS4 ,NO?+ IS MY/]I\S 9 ?IS ROOM1 NO?+ IS HIDD54 ,IT IS ! NAK$ *AMB] ( A MAN :O HAS NO SECRETS1 :OSE LIFE IS PURE1 EXEMPT FROM COMPLICATIONS & EV5TS4 ,! KEYS >E 9 ! FURNITURE & 9 ! CUPBO>DS2 NOT A DRAW] IS LOCK$4 ,ON ! TABLE SOME PACKAGES ( SE$S & A BOOK1 0,! ,GOOD ,G>D5]40 ,ON ! MANTEL A PRAY]-BOOK1 :OSE PAGES >E YELL[1 & A LITTLE NOTE-BOOK1 9 :I* HAVE BE5 COPI$ V>I\S RECEIPTS = PREP>+ 5CAU/IC1 ,BORDELAISE /EW1 & MIXTURES ( NICOT9E & SULFATE ( IRON4 ,NOT A LETT] ANY:]E2 NOT EV5 AN ACC\NT-BOOK4 ,NO:]E ! SLI<TE/ TRACE ( ANY CORRESPOND5CE1 EI!R ON BUS9ESS1 POLITICS1 FAMILY MATT]S1 OR LOVE4 ,9 ! COMMODE1 BESIDE WORN-\T %OES & OLD HOSE-NOZZLES1 PILES ( PAMPHLETS1 NUM]\S NUMB]S ( ! 0,LIBRE ,P>OLE40 ,UND] ! B$1 M\SE-TRAPS & RAT-TRAPS4 ,I HAVE FELT ( EV]Y?+1 TURN$ EV]Y?+ UPSIDE D[N1 EMPTI$ EV]Y?+1--COATS1 MATTRESS1 L951 & DRAW]S4 ,!RE IS NO?+ ELSE4 ,9 ! CUPBO>D NO?+ HAS BE5 *ANG$4 ,IT IS JU/ AS ,I LEFT IT A WEEK AGO1 :5 ,I PUT IT 9 ORD] 9 ,JOSEPH'S PRES5CE4 ,IS IT POSSIBLE ?AT ,JOSEPH HAS NO?+8 ,IS IT POSSIBLE ?AT HE IS SO LACK+ 9 ?OSE ?\S& LITTLE 9TIMATE & FAMILI> ?+S :]EBY A MAN REVEALS HIS TA/ES1 HIS PASSIONS1 HIS ?\<TS1 A LITTLE ( ?AT :I* DOM9ATES HIS LIFE8 ,AH6 YES1 H]E6 ,FROM ! BACK ( ! TABLE-DRAW] ,I TAKE A CIG>-BOX1 WRAPP$ 9 PAP] & /RONGLY TI$ ) /R+ RUNN+ F\R TIMES R\ND4 ,) GREAT DIFFICULTY ,I UNTIE ! KNOTS1 ,I OP5 ! BOX1 & ON A B$ ( WADD+ ,I SEE FIVE CONSECRAT$ M$ALS1 A LITTLE SILV] CRUCIFIX1 & A ROS>Y ( R$ BEADS4 ,ALWAYS RELIGION6 

,MY SE>* CONCLUD$1 ,I LEAVE ! ROOM1 FILL$ ) N]V\S IRRITATION AT HAV+ F\ND NO?+ ( :AT ,I WAS SE>*+ =1 & HAV+ LE>N$ NO?+ ( :AT ,I WANT$ TO KN[4 ,DECID$LY1 ,JOSEPH COMMUNICATES HIS IMP5ETRABILITY TO EV]Y?+ ?AT HE T\*ES4 ,! >TICLES ?AT HE POSSESSES >E AS SIL5T AS HIS LIPS1 AS UNFA?OMABLE AS HIS EYES & BR[4 ,! RE/ ( ! DAY ,I HAVE HAD BE=E ME1 REALLY BE=E ME1 ,JOSEPH'S FACE1 5IGMATICAL1 SNE]+1 & CRU/Y1 BY TURNS4 ,& IT HAS SEEM$ TO ME ?AT ,I C\LD HE> HIM SAY+ TO ME3 

0,& MU* F>!R Y\ HAVE GOT1 MY AWKW>D LITTLE ONE1 9 CONSEQU5CE ( Y\R CURIOSITY4 ,AH6 Y\ CAN LOOK AGA91 Y\ CAN SE>* MY L951 MY TRUNKS1 MY S\L2 Y\ WILL NEV] F9D ANY?+ \T40 

,I DO NOT WI% TO ?9K ( ALL ?IS ANY MORE2 ,I DO NOT WI% TO ?9K ( ,JOSEPH ANY MORE4 ,MY HEAD A*ES TOO H>D1 & ,I BELIEVE ?AT ,I %\LD GO MAD4 ,LET US RETURN TO MY MEMORIES4 

,SC>CELY HAD ,I LEFT ! GOOD SI/]S ( ,NEUILLY1 :5 ,I FELL AGA9 9TO ! HELL ( ! EMPLOYM5T-BUREAUS4 ,& YET ,I HAD FIRMLY RESOLV$ NEV] TO APPLY TO !M AGA94 ,BUT1 :5 ONE IS ON ! PAVEM5TS1 )\T MONEY 5\< TO BUY EV5 A BIT ( BREAD1 :AT IS ONE TO DO8 ,FRI5DS1 OLD COMRADES8 ,BAH6 ,!Y DO NOT EV5 ANSW] Y\4 ,ADV]TISEM5TS 9 ! NEWSPAP]S8 ,!Y CO/ A GREAT DEAL1 & 9VOLVE 9T]M9ABLE CORRESPOND5CE1--A GREAT LOT ( TR\BLE = NO?+4 ,& BESIDES1 !Y >E V]Y RISKY4 ,AT ANY RATE1 ONE MU/ HAVE SOME?+ AHEAD1 & ,CLECLE'S TW5TY FRANCS HAD QUICKLY MELT$ 9 MY H&S4 ,PRO/ITUTION8 ,/REET-WALK+8 ,TO TAKE M5 HOME ) Y\ :O >E (T5 MORE DE/ITUTE ?AN Y\RSELF8 ,OH6 NO1 9DE$4 ,= PLEASURE1--YES1 AS MU* AS Y\ LIKE4 ,BUT = MONEY8 ,I CANNOT2 ,I DO NOT KN[ H[2 ,I AM ALWAYS VICTIMIZ$4 ,I WAS EV5 OBLIG$ TO HANG UP SOME LITTLE JEWELS ?AT ,I HAD1 9 ORD] TO PAY = MY BO>D & LODG+4 ,9EVITABLY1 H>D LUCK BR+S Y\ BACK TO ! AG5CIES ( USURY & HUMAN EXPLOITATION4 

,OH6 ! EMPLOYM5T-BUREAUS1 :AT DIRTY TRAPS !Y >E6 ,9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 ONE MU/ GIVE T5 S\S TO HAVE H] NAME 5T]$2 & !N !RE IS ! RISK ( GETT+ A BAD PLACE4 ,9 !SE FRI<TFUL D5S !RE IS NO LACK ( BAD PLACES2 &1 REALLY1 ONE HAS ONLY ! EMB>RASSM5T ( *OICE BETWE5 ONE-EY$ HUSSIES & BL9D HUSSIES4 ,N[ADAYS1 WOM5 ) NO?+ AT ALL1 KEEP]S ( LITTLE F\RP5NY GROC]Y /ORES1 PRET5D TO HAVE S]VANTS & TO PLAY ! ROLE ( C\NTESS4 ,:AT A PITY6 ,IF1 AFT] DISCUSSIONS1 & HUMILIAT+ EXAM9ATIONS1 & /ILL MORE HUMILIAT+ HAGGL+1 Y\ SUCCE$ 9 COM+ TO T]MS ) ONE ( !SE RAPACI\S B\RGEOISES1 Y\ [E TO ! KEEP] ( ! EMPLOYM5T-BUREAU ?REE P] C5T4 ( Y\R FIR/ YE>'S WAGES4 ,SO MU* ! WORSE1 IF Y\ REMA9 BUT T5 DAYS 9 ! PLACE %E HAS PROCUR$ = Y\4 ,?AT DOES NOT CONC]N H]2 H] ACC\NT IS GOOD1 & ! 5TIRE COMMISSION IS EXACT$4 ,OH6 !Y KN[ ! TRICK2 !Y KN[ :]E !Y S5D Y\1 & ?AT Y\ WILL COME BACK TO !M SOON4 ,ONCE1 = 9/ANCE1 ,I HAD SEV5 PLACES 9 F\R MON?S & A HALF4 ,A RUN ON ! BLACK2 IMPOSSIBLE H\SES1 WORSE ?AN PRISONS4 ,WELL1 ,I HAD TO PAY ! EMPLOYM5T-BUREAU ?REE P] C5T4 ( SEV5 YE>S' WAGES1--?AT IS1 9CLUD+ ! T5 S\S REQUIR$ = EA* FRE% 5TRANCE ( MY NAME1 MORE ?AN N9ETY FRANCS4 ,& NO?+ HAD BE5 ACCOMPLI%$1 & ALL HAD TO BE BEGUN OV] AGA94 ,IS ?AT JU/1 ,I WANT TO KN[8 ,IS IT NOT ABOM9ABLE ROBB]Y8 

,ROBB]Y8 ,9 :ATEV] DIRECTION ONE TURNS1 ONE SEES NO?+ BUT ROBB]Y ANY:]E4 ,( C\RSE IT IS ALWAYS ?OSE :O HAVE NO?+ :O >E ! MO/ ROBB$1 & ROBB$ BY ?OSE :O HAVE ALL4 ,BUT :AT IS ONE TO DO8 ,ONE RAGES & REBELS1 & !N 5DS BY CONCLUD+ ?AT IT IS BETT] TO BE ROBB$ ?AN TO DIE LIKE A DOG 9 ! /REET4 ,OH6 ! WORLD IS >RANG$ ON A F9E PLAN1 ?AT'S SURE6 ,:AT A PITY IT IS ?AT ,G5]AL ,B\LANG] DID NOT SUCCE$6 ,AT LEA/ HE1 IT SEEMS1 LOV$ DOME/ICS4 

,! EMPLOYM5T-BUREAU 9 :I* ,I WAS /UPID 5\< TO HAVE MY NAME 5T]$ IS SITUAT$ 9 ! ,RUE DU ,COLISEE1 AT ! BACK ( A C\RT-Y>D1 ON ! ?IRD FLOOR ( A D>K & V]Y OLD H\SE1--ALMO/ A H\SE = WORK+-PEOPLE4 ,AT ! V]Y 5TRANCE ! N>R[ & /EEP /AIRCASE1 ) ITS FIL?Y /EPS ?AT /ICK TO Y\R %OES & ITS DAMP BANI/] ?AT /ICKS TO Y\R H&S1 BL[S 9TO Y\R FACE AN 9FECT$ AIR1 AN ODOR ( S9KS & CLOSETS1 & FILLS Y\R HE>T ) DISC\RAGEM5T4 ,I DO NOT PRET5D TO BE FA/IDI\S1 BUT ! V]Y SI<T ( ?IS /AIRCASE TURNS MY /OMA* & CUTS (F MY LEGS1 & ,I AM SEIZ$ ) A MAD DESIRE TO RUN AWAY4 ,! HOPE :I*1 ON ! WAY1 HAS BE5 S++ 9 Y\R HEAD IS AT ONCE SIL5C$1 /IFL$ BY ?IS ?ICK & /ICKY ATMOSPH]E1 BY !SE VILE /EPS1 & !SE SWEAT+ WALLS ?AT SEEM TO BE FREQU5T$ BY GLUT9\S L>VAE & COLD TOADS4 ,REALLY1 ,I DO NOT UND]/& H[ F9E LADIES D>E TO V5TURE 9TO ?IS UNHEAL?Y HOVEL4 ,FRANKLY1 !Y >E NOT DISGU/$4 ,BUT :AT IS !RE TO-DAY ?AT DISGU/S F9E LADIES8 ,!Y W\LD NOT GO 9TO SU* A H\SE TO HELP A POOR P]SON1 BUT TO WORRY A DOME/IC !Y W\LD GO ! DEVIL KN[S :]E6 

,?IS BUREAU WAS RUN BY ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&1 A TALL WOMAN ( ALMO/ =TY-FIVE YE>S1 :O1 UND]NEA? H] V]Y BLACK & SLI<TLY WAVY HAIR1 & 9 SPITE ( S(T FLE% CRAMM$ 9TO A T]RIBLE CORSET1 /ILL PRES]V$ REMNANTS ( BEAUTY1 A MAJE/IC DEPORTM5T1444 & SU* AN EYE6 ,MY6 BUT %E MU/ HAVE HAD FUN 9 H] DAY6 ,) H] AU/]E ELEGANCE1 ALWAYS WE>+ A BLACK WAT]$-SILK DRESS1 A LONG GOLD *A9 FALL+ 9 LOOPS OV] H] PROM95T BOSOM1 A BR[N VELVET CRAVAT >\ND H] NECK1 & ) V]Y PALE H&S1 %E SEEM$ ! P]FECTION ( DIGNITY & EV5 A LITTLE HAU<TY4 ,%E LIV$1 \TSIDE ( M>RIAGE1 ) A CITY EMPLOYEE1 ,M4 ,L\IS4 ,WE KNEW HIM ONLY BY HIS ,*RI/IAN NAME4 ,HE WAS A QUE] TYPE1 EXTREMELY NE>-SI<T$1 ) M9C+ MOVEM5TS1 ALWAYS SIL5T1 & PRES5T+ A V]Y AWKW>D APPE>ANCE 9 A GRAY JACKET ?AT WAS TOO %ORT = HIM4 ,SAD1 TIMID1 B5T1 AL?\< Y\NG1 HE SEEM$1 NOT HAPPY1 BUT RESIGN$4 ,HE NEV] D>$ TO SPEAK TO US1 OR EV5 TO LOOK AT US1 = ! MADAME WAS V]Y JEAL\S4 ,:5 HE CAME 91 ) HIS BAG ( PAP]S UND] HIS >M1 HE CONT5T$ HIMSELF ) SLI<TLY LIFT+ HIS HAT 9 \R DIRECTION1 )\T TURN+ HIS HEAD T[>D US1 &1 ) A DRAGG+ /EP1 GLID$ 9TO ! HALL1 LIKE A %AD[4 ,& H[ TIR$ ! POOR FELL[ WAS6 ,AT NI<T ,M4 ,L\IS ATT5D$ TO ! CORRESPOND5CE1 KEPT ! BOOKS1444 & DID ! RE/4 

,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& WAS NAM$ NEI!R ,PAULHAT OR ,DUR&2 !SE TWO NAMES1 :I* GO SO WELL TOGE!R1 %E ACQUIR$1 IT SEEMS1 FROM TWO G5TLEM51 DEAD TO-DAY1 ) :OM %E HAD LIV$1 & :O HAD SUPPLI$ H] ) FUNDS TO OP5 H] EMPLOYM5T-BUREAU4 ,H] REAL NAME WAS ,JOSEPH9E ,C>P4 ,LIKE MANY KEEP]S ( EMPLOYM5T-BUREAUS1 %E WAS AN OLD *AMB]MAID4 ,?AT WAS TO BE SE51 MOREOV]1 9 H] PRET5TI\S BE>+1 9 H] MANN]S1 MODEL$ UPON ?OSE ( ! GREAT LADIES 9 :OSE S]VICE %E HAD BE51 & B5EA? :I*1 9 SPITE ( H] GOLD *A9 & BLACK SILK DRESS1 ONE C\LD SEE ! FIL? ( H] 9F]IOR ORIG94 ,%E %[$ ALL ! 9SOL5CE ( AN OLD DOME/IC1 BUT %E RES]V$ ?IS 9SOL5CE = US EXCLUSIVELY1 %[+ H] CU/OM]S1 ON ! CONTR>Y1 A S]VILE OBSEQUI\SNESS1 PROPORTION$ TO !IR WEAL? & SOCIAL RANK4 

0,OH6 :AT A SET ( PEOPLE1 ,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS10 SAID %E1 ) AN AIR ( AFFECTATION4 0,*AMB]MAIDS DE LUXE1--?AT IS1 W5*ES :O >E UNWILL+ TO DO ANY?+1 :O DO NOT WORK1 & :OSE HONE/Y & MORALITY ,I DO NOT GU>ANTEE1--AS MANY ( ?OSE AS Y\ WANT6 ,BUT WOM5 :O WORK1 :O SEW1 :O KN[ !IR TRADE1--!RE >E NO MORE ( !M2 ,I HAVE NO MORE ( !M2 NOBODY HAS ANY MORE ( !M4 ,?AT'S ! WAY IT IS40 

,YET H] BUREAU WAS WELL PATRONIZ$4 ,%E HAD ! CU/OM ESPECIALLY ( ! PEOPLE 9 ! ,*AMPS-,ELYSEES QU>T]1 CONSI/+ L>GELY ( =EIGN]S & ,JEWESSES4 ,AH6 ! SC&ALS ?AT ,I KN[ AB\T !M6 

,! DOOR OP5S 9TO A HALL LEAD+ TO ! SALON1 :]E ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& IS 5?RON$ 9 H] P]PETUAL BLACK SILK DRESS4 ,AT ! LEFT ( ! HALL IS A SORT ( D>K HOLE1 A VA/ ANTE-ROOM ) CIRCUL> B5*ES1 & 9 ! MIDDLE A TABLE RECOV]$ ) FAD$ R$ S]GE4 ,NO?+ ELSE4 ,! ANTE-ROOM IS LI<T$ ONLY BY A N>R[ /RIP ( GLASS SET 9 ! UPP] P>T ( ! P>TITION :I* SEP>ATES ! ROOM FROM ! EMPLOYM5T-BUREAU1 & RUNN+ ITS 5TIRE L5G?4 ,A BAD LI<T1 A LI<T MORE GLOOMY ?AN D>KNESS1 COMES ?R\< ?IS GLASS1 COAT+ OBJECTS & FACES ) SOME?+ LESS ?AN A TWILI<T GLIMM]4 

,WE CAME !RE EV]Y MORN+ & EV]Y AFT]NOON1 HEAPS ( US1--COOKS & *AMB]MAIDS1 G>D5]S & VALETS1 COA*M5 & BUTL]S1--& WE SP5T \R TIME 9 TELL+ EA* O!R ( \R MIS=TUNES1 9 RUNN+ D[N ! MA/]S1 & 9 WI%+ = EXTRAORD9>Y1 FAIRY-LIKE1 LIB]AT+ PLACES4 ,SOME BR\<T BOOKS & NEWSPAP]S1 :I* !Y READ PASSIONATELY2 O!RS WROTE LETT]S4 ,N[ GAY1 N[ SAD1 \R BUZZ+ CONV]SATIONS W]E (T5 9T]RUPT$ BY ! SUDD5 IRRUPTION ( ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&1 LIKE A GU/ ( W9D4 

0,BE SIL5T1 Y\NG WOM510 %E CRI$4 0,IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HE> \RSELVES 9 ! SALON40 

,OR ELSE %E CALL$ 9 A CURT1 %RILL VOICE3 

0,MADEMOISELLE ,JEANNE60 

,MLLE4 ,JEANNE ROSE1 >RANG$ H] HAIR A LITTLE1 FOLL[$ ! MADAME 9TO ! BUREAU1 FROM :I* %E RETURN$ A FEW MOM5TS LAT]1 ) A GRIMACE ( DISDA9 UPON H] LIPS4 ,H] RECOMM5DATIONS HAD NOT BE5 F\ND SUFFICI5T4 ,:AT DID !Y REQUIRE !N8 ,! ,MON?YON PRIZE8 ,A MAID5'S DIPLOMA8 

,OR ELSE !Y HAD BE5 UNABLE TO AGREE UPON WAGES4 

0,OH6 NO1 ! MEAN ?+S6 ,A DIRTY DANCE HALL 444 NO?+ TO P9*4 ,%E DOES H] [N M>KET+4 ,OH6 LA6 LA6 ,F\R *ILDR5 9 ! H\SE6 ,?9K ( IT60 

,! :OLE PUNCTUAT$ BY FURI\S OR OBSC5E GE/URES4 

,WE ALL PASS$ 9TO ! BUREAU BY TURNS1 SUMMON$ BY ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&1 :OSE VOICE GREW %RILL] & %RILL]1 & :OSE %9+ FLE% AT LA/ BECAME GRE5 ) ANG]4 ,= MY P>T1 ,I SAW DIRECTLY ) :OM ,I HAD TO DEAL1 & ?AT ! PLACE DID NOT SUIT ME4 ,!N1 TO AMUSE MYSELF1 9/EAD ( SUBMITT+ TO !IR /UPID QUE/IONS1 ,I QUE/ION$ ! F9E LADIES !MSELVES4 

0,MADAME IS M>RI$80 

0,UND\BT$LY40 

0,AH6 ,& ,MADAME HAS *ILDR580 

0,C]TA9LY40 

0,DOGS80 

0,YES40 

0,MADAME MAKES ! *AMB]MAID SIT UP80 

0,:5 ,I GO \T 9 ! EV5+ 444 EVID5TLY40 

0,& ,MADAME (T5 GOES \T 9 ! EV5+80 

,PURS+ UP H] LIPS1 %E WAS AB\T TO ANSW]2 BUT ,I1 CA/+ A CONTEMPTU\S GLANCE AT H] HAT1 H] CO/UME1 & H] 5TIRE P]SON1 SAID1 9 A CURT & DISDA9FUL VOICE3 

0,I REGRET IT1 BUT ,MADAME'S PLACE DOES NOT PLEASE ME4 ,I DO NOT GO 9TO H\SES LIKE ,MADAME'S40 

,& ,I SAIL$ \T TRIUMPHANTLY4 

,ONE DAY A LITTLE WOMAN1 ) HAIR \TRAGE\SLY DY$1 ) LIPS PA9T$ ) M9IUM1 ) 5AMEL$ *EEKS1 AS 9SOL5T AS A GU9EA-H51 & P]FUM$ LIKE A BIDET1 AFT] ASK+ ME ?IRTY-SIX QUE/IONS1 PUT A ?IRTY-SEV5?3 

0,>E Y\ WELL BEHAV$8 ,DO Y\ RECEIVE LOV]S80 

0,& ,MADAME80 ,I ANSW]$ V]Y QUIETLY1 %[+ NO A/ONI%M5T4 

,SOME1 LESS DIFFICULT TO PLEASE1 OR MORE WE>Y OR MORE TIMID1 ACCEPT$ 9FECT$ PLACES4 ,!Y W]E HOOT$4 

0,BON VOYAGE6 ,WE %ALL SEE Y\ SOON AGA940 

,AT ! SI<T ( US ?US PIL$ UP ON \R B5*ES1 ) LEGS SPREAD AP>T1 DREAMY1 /UPID1 OR *ATT]+1 & LI/5+ TO ! SUCCESSIVE CALLS ( ! MADAME3 0,MADEMOISELLE ,VICTOIRE6444 ,MADEMOISELLE ,IR5E6444 ,MADEMOISELLE ,ZULMA60 IT SOMETIMES SEEM$ TO ME AS IF WE W]E 9 A PUBLIC H\SE1 AWAIT+ ! NEXT CALL]4 ,?AT SEEM$ TO ME FUNNY OR SAD1 ,I DON'T KN[ :I*2 & ONE DAY ,I REM>K$ UPON IT AL\D4 ,!RE WAS A G5]AL \TBUR/ ( LAU<T]4 ,EA* ONE IMM$IATELY DELIV]$ H]SELF ( ALL ! EXACT & M>VEL\S 9=MATION ( :I* %E WAS 9 POSSESSION CONC]N+ E/ABLI%M5TS ( ?AT *>ACT]4 ,A FAT & PUFFY CREATURE1 :O WAS PEEL+ AN ORANGE1 SAID3 

0,SURELY ?AT W\LD BE BETT]4 ,!Y >E SURE ( A LIV+ 9 ?OSE PLACES4 ,& *AMPAGNE1 Y\ KN[1 Y\NG WOM52 & *EMISES ) SILV] />S2 & NO CORSETS60 

,I REMEMB] ?AT ?AT DAY ,I ?\<T ( MY SI/] ,L\ISE1 UND\BT$LY %UT UP 9 ONE ( ?OSE H\SES4 ,I PICTUR$ TO MYSELF H] LIFE1 POSSIBLY HAPPY1 AT LEA/ TRANQUIL1 9 ANY CASE EXEMPT FROM ! DANG] ( POV]TY & HUNG]4 ,&1 MORE ?AN EV] DISGU/$ ) MY DISMAL & BEAT5 Y\?1 ) MY W&]+ EXI/5CE1 ) MY DREAD ( ! MORR[1 ,I TOO DREAM$3 

0,YES1 P]HAPS ?AT W\LD BE BETT]40 

,& EV5+ CAME1 & !N NI<T1--A NI<T H>DLY D>K] ?AN ! DAY4 ,WE BECAME SIL5T1 FATIGU$ FROM HAV+ TALK$ TOO MU*1 FROM HAV+ WAIT$ TOO LONG4 ,A GAS JET WAS LI<T$ 9 ! HALL1 & REGUL>LY1 AT FIVE O'CLOCK1 ?R\< ! GLASS 9 ! DOOR1 WE C\LD SEE ! SLI<TLY-B5T \TL9E ( ,M4 ,L\IS PASS+ V]Y QUICKLY1 & !N VANI%+4 ,IT WAS ! SIGNAL = \R DEP>TURE4 

,(T5 OLD WOM51 RUNN]S = PUBLIC H\SES1 PIMPS ) A RESPECTABLE AIR1 & QUITE LIKE ! GOOD SI/]S 9 !IR HONEY$ SWEETNESS1 AWAIT$ US AT ! EXIT ON ! SIDEWALK4 ,!Y FOLL[$ US DISCREETLY1 &1 9 SOME D>K] CORN] ( ! /REET1 BEH9D ! GR\PS ( TREES 9 ! ,*AMPS-,ELYSEES1 \T ( SI<T ( ! POLICE1 !Y APPROA*$ US4 

0,COME1 !N1 TO MY H\SE1 9/EAD ( DRAGG+ \T Y\R POOR LIFE FROM ANXIETY TO ANXIETY1 & FROM POV]TY TO POV]TY4 ,9 MY H\SE Y\ WILL F9D PLEASURE1 LUXURY1 MONEY2 Y\ WILL F9D LIB]TY40 

,DAZZL$ BY ! M>VEL\S PROMISES1 SEV]AL ( MY LITTLE COMRADES LI/5$ TO !SE LOVE-BROK]S4 ,) SADNESS ,I SAW !M />T4 ,:]E >E !Y N[8 

,ONE EV5+ ONE ( !SE PR[L]S1 FAT & FLABBY1 :OM ,I HAD ALREADY BRUTALLY DISMISS$1 SUCCE$$ 9 GETT+ ME TO GO ) H] TO A CAFE 9 ! ,ROND-,PO9T1 :]E %E (F]$ ME A GLASS ( *>TREUSE4 ,I SEE H] /ILL1 ) H] HAIR TURN+ GRAY1 H] SEV]E CO/UME ( A B\RGEOISE WID[1 H] PLUMP & /ICKY H&S1 LOAD$ ) R+S4 ,%E REEL$ (F H] /ORY ) MORE SPIRIT & CONVICTION ?AN USUAL1 &1 AS ,I REMA9$ 9DIFF]5T TO ALL H] HUMBUG 9DUCEM5TS1 %E CRI$3 

0,OH6 IF Y\ ONLY W\LD1 MY LITTLE ONE4 ,I DO NOT NE$ TO LOOK AT Y\ TWICE TO SEE H[ BEAUTIFUL Y\ >E 9 ALL RESPECTS4 ,& IT IS A REAL CRIME TO LET SU* BEAUTY GO TO WA/E1 & BE SQU&]$ 9 ! COMPANY ( H\SE-S]VANTS4 ,) Y\R BEAUTY1 Y\ W\LD QUICKLY MAKE A =TUNE4 ,OH6 Y\ W\LD HAVE A BAG ( MONEY 9 A V]Y LITTLE TIME4 ,Y\ SEE1 ,I HAVE A WOND]FUL SET ( CU/OM]S1--OLD G5TLEM51 V]Y 9FLU5TIAL1 & V]Y1 V]Y G5]\S4 ,ALL ?AT IS BE/ 9 ,P>IS COMES TO MY H\SE1--FAM\S G5]ALS1 P[]FUL MAGI/RATES1 =EIGN AMBASSADORS40 

,%E DREW NE>] TO ME1 L[]+ H] VOICE4 

0,& IF ,I W]E TO TELL Y\ ?AT ! PRESID5T ( ! REPUBLIC HIMSELF 444 :Y1 YES1 MY LITTLE ONE6 ,?AT GIVES Y\ AN IDEA ( :AT MY H\SE IS4 ,!RE IS NOT ONE LIKE IT 9 ! WORLD4 ,RAB9EAU'S IS NO?+ SIDE ( MY H\SE4 ,& /AY6 YE/]DAY AT FIVE O'CLOCK ! PRESID5T WAS SO WELL PLEAS$ ?AT HE PROMIS$ ME ! ACADEMIC PALMS 444 = MY SON1 :O IS *IEF AUDITOR 9 A RELIGI\S $UCATIONAL 9/ITUTION AT ,AUTEUIL40 

,%E LOOK$ AT ME A LONG TIME1 SE>*+ ME BODY & S\L1 & REPEAT$3 

0,OH6 IF Y\ W\LD6 ,:AT A SUCCESS60 

,I (F]$ A HEAP ( OBJECTIONS1 MY LACK ( F9E L951 ( CO/UMES1 ( JEWELS4 ,! OLD WOMAN REASSUR$ ME4 

0,OH6 IF ?AT'S ALL10 SAID %E1 0Y\ NE$ NOT WORRY1 BECAUSE 9 MY H\SE1 Y\ UND]/&1 NATURAL BEAUTY IS ! *IEF ADORNM5T40 

0,YES1 YES1 ,I KN[1 BUT /ILL44440 

0,I ASSURE Y\ ?AT Y\ NE$ NOT WORRY10 %E 9SI/$1 ) B5EVOL5CE4 0,LI/51 SIGN A CONTRACT ) ME = ?REE MON?S1 & ,I WILL GIVE Y\ AN \TFIT ( ! BE/1 SU* AS NO S\BRETTE ( ! ,!ATRE-,FRANCAIS EV] HAD4 ,MY WORD = IT60 

,I ASK$ TIME TO REFLECT4 

0,WELL1 ALL RI<T6 REFLECT10 C\NSEL$ ?IS DEAL] 9 HUMAN FLE%4 0,LET ME GIVE Y\ MY ADDRESS1 AT ANY RATE4 ,:5 Y\R HE>T SPEAKS1--WELL1 Y\ WILL HAVE ONLY TO COME4 ,OH6 ,I AM P]FECTLY CONFID5T4 ,& TO-MORR[ ,I AM GO+ TO ANN\NCE Y\ TO ! PRESID5T ( ! REPUBLIC40 

,WE HAD F9I%$ DR9K+4 ,! OLD WOMAN SETTL$ = ! TWO GLASSES1 & TOOK FROM A LITTLE BLACK POCKET-BOOK A C>D1 :I* %E SLYLY SLIPP$ 9TO MY H&4 ,:5 %E HAD GONE1 ,I LOOK$ AT ! C>D1 & ,I READ3 

,M,A,D,A,M,E ,R,E,B,E,C,C,A ,R,A,N,V,E,T  

,MILL9]Y 

,AT ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&'S ,I WITNESS$ SOME EXTRAORD9>Y SC5ES4 ,AS ,I CANNOT DESCRIBE !M ALL1 UN=TUNATELY1 ,I SELECT ONE TO S]VE AS AN EXAMPLE ( :AT GOES ON DAILY 9 ?IS H\SE4 

,I HAVE SAID ?AT ! UPP] P>T ( ! P>TITION SEP>AT+ ! ANTE-ROOM FROM ! BUREAU CONSI/S ( A /RIP ( GLASS COV]$ ) TRANSP>5T CURTA9S4 ,9 ! MIDDLE ( ! /RIP IS A CASEM5T-W9D[1 ORD9>ILY CLOS$4 ,ONE DAY ,I NOTIC$ ?AT1 BY SOME OV]SI<T1 ( :I* ,I RESOLV$ TO TAKE ADVANTAGE1 IT HAD BE5 LEFT P>TLY OP54 ,PUTT+ A SMALL /OOL UPON ! B5*1 ,I /OOD UPON IT1 & ?US SUCCE$$ 9 T\*+ ) MY *9 ! FRAME ( ! CASEM5T-W9D[1 :I* ,I S(TLY PU%$4 ,I WAS ?US 5ABL$ TO LOOK 9TO ! ROOM1 & H]E IS :AT ,I SAW4 

,A LADY WAS SEAT$ 9 AN >M-*AIR2 A *AMB]MAID WAS /&+ 9 FRONT ( H]2 9 ! CORN] ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& WAS DI/RIBUT+ SOME C>DS AMONG ! COMP>TM5TS ( A DRAW]4 ,! LADY HAD COME FROM ,FONTA9EBLEAU 9 SE>* ( A S]VANT4 ,%E MAY HAVE BE5 FIFTY YE>S OLD4 ,9 APPE>ANCE A RI* & R\< B\RGEOISE1 DRESS$ SOB]LY1 PROV9CIAL 9 H] AU/]ITY4 ,! MAID1 PUNY & SICKLY1 ) A COMPLEXION ?AT HAD BE5 MADE LIVID BY POOR FOOD & LACK ( FOOD1 HAD NEV]!LESS A SYMPA!TIC FACE1 :I*1 UND] MORE =TUNATE CIRCUM/ANCES1 W\LD P]HAPS HAVE BE5 PRETTY4 ,%E WAS V]Y CLEAN & TRIM 9 A BLACK SKIRT4 ,A BLACK J]SEY MOLD$ H] ?9 =M1 & ON H] HEAD %E WORE A L95 CAP1 PRETTILY SET BACK1 REVEAL+ H] BR[ & H] CURLY BR[N HAIR4 

,AFT] A DETAIL$1 SU/A9$1 (F5SIVE1 AGGRESSIVE EXAM9ATION1 ! LADY AT LA/ MADE UP H] M9D TO SPEAK4 

0,!N10 SAID %E1 0Y\ (F] Y\RSELF AS 444 :AT8 ,AS A *AMB]MAID80 

0,YES1 ,MADAME40 

0,Y\ DO NOT LOOK LIKE ONE4 ,:AT IS Y\R NAME80 

0,JEANNE ,LE ,GODEC40 

0,:AT DID Y\ SAY80 

0,JEANNE ,LE ,GODEC1 ,MADAME40 

,! LADY %RUGG$ H] %\LD]S4 

0,JEANNE10 %E EXCLAIM$4 0,?AT IS NOT A S]VANT'S NAME2 ?AT IS A NAME = A Y\NG GIRL4 ,IF Y\ 5T] MY S]VICE1 Y\ DO NOT EXPECT1 ,I SUPPOSE1 TO KEEP ?IS NAME ,JEANNE80 

0,AS ,MADAME LIKES40 

,JEANNE HAD L[]$ H] HEAD1 & WAS LEAN+ ) H] TWO H&S ON ! H&LE ( H] UMBRELLA4 

0,RAISE Y\R HEAD10 ORD]$ ! LADY2 0/& UP /RAI<T4 ,DON'T Y\ SEE Y\ >E MAK+ A HOLE 9 ! C>PET ) ! PO9T ( Y\R UMBRELLA8 ,:]E DO Y\ COME FROM80 

0,FROM ,SA9T-,BRIEUC40 

0,FROM ,SA9T-,BRIEUC60 

,& %E GAVE A P\T ( DISDA9 ?AT QUICKLY TURN$ 9TO A FRI<TFUL GRIMACE4 ,! CORN]S ( H] M\? & EYES CONTRACT$1 AS IF %E HAD SWALL[$ A GLASS ( V9EG>4 

0,FROM ,SA9T-,BRIEUC60 %E REPEAT$4 0,!N Y\ >E A ,BRETON8 ,OH6 ,I DO NOT LIKE ! ,BRETONS4 ,!Y >E OB/9ATE & DIRTY40 

0,I AM V]Y CLEAN1 ,MADAME10 PROTE/$ ! POOR ,JEANNE4 

0,Y\ SAY SO4 ,H[EV]1 WE HAV5'T REA*$ ?AT YET4 ,H[ OLD >E Y\80 

0,TW5TY-SIX40 

0,TW5TY-SIX8 ,NOT C\NT+ ! NURS+ MON?S1 NO D\BT8 ,Y\ LOOK MU* OLD]4 ,IT IS NOT WOR? :ILE TO DECEIVE ME40 

0,I AM NOT DECEIV+ ,MADAME4 ,I ASSURE ,MADAME ,I AM ONLY TW5TY-SIX4 ,IF ,I LOOK OLD]1 IT IS BECAUSE ,I HAVE BE5 SICK A LONG TIME40 

0,OH6 Y\ HAVE BE5 SICK80 REPLI$ ! B\RGEOISE1 9 A VOICE ( SNE]+ SEV]ITY4 0,OH6 Y\ HAVE BE5 SICK A LONG TIME8 ,I W>N Y\1 MY GIRL1 ?AT ! PLACE1 ?\< NOT A V]Y H>D ONE1 IS ( SOME IMPORTANCE1 & ?AT ,I MU/ HAVE A WOMAN ( V]Y GOOD HEAL?40 

,JEANNE TRI$ TO REPAIR H] IMPRUD5T WORDS4 ,%E DECL>$3 

0,OH6 ,I AM CUR$1 QUITE CUR$40 

0,?AT IS Y\R AFFAIR4 ,MOREOV]1 WE HAV5'T REA*$ ?AT YET4 ,Y\ >E M>RI$ OR S+LE1 :I*8 ,:AT >E Y\80 

0,I AM A WID[1 ,MADAME40 

0,AH6 ,Y\ HAVE NO *ILD1 ,I SUPPOSE80 

,&1 AS ,JEANNE DID NOT ANSW] DIRECTLY1 ! LADY 9SI/$1 MORE %>PLY3 

0,SAY1 HAVE Y\ *ILDR51 YES OR NO80 

0,I HAVE A LITTLE GIRL10 %E CONFESS$1 TIMIDLY4 

,!N1 MAK+ GRIMACES & GE/URES AS IF %E W]E SCATT]+ A LOT ( FLIES1 %E CRI$3 

0,OH6 NO *ILD 9 ! H\SE2 NO *ILD 9 ! H\SE2 NOT UND] ANY CONSID]ATION4 ,:]E IS Y\R LITTLE GIRL80 

0,%E IS ) MY HUSB&'S AUNT40 

0,& :AT IS ?IS AUNT80 

0,%E KEEPS A W9E-%OP 9 ,R\540 

0,A DEPLORABLE CALL+4 ,DRUNK5NESS & DEBAU*]Y1--?AT IS A PRETTY EXAMPLE = A LITTLE GIRL6 ,H[EV]1 ?AT CONC]NS Y\1 ?AT IS Y\R AFFAIR4 ,H[ OLD IS Y\R LITTLE GIRL80 

0,EI<TE5 MON?S1 ,MADAME40 

,MADAME GAVE A />T1 & TURN$ VIOL5TLY 9 H] >M-*AIR4 ,?IS WAS TOO MU* = H]2 %E WAS SC&ALIZ$4 ,A SORT ( GR[L ESCAP$ FROM H] LIPS4 

0,*ILDR56 ,?9K ( IT6 ,*ILDR51 :5 ONE CANNOT BR+ !M UP1 OR HAVE !M AT HOME6 ,!SE PEOPLE >E 9CORRIGIBLE2 ! DEVIL IS 9 !IR BODIES60 

,BECOM+ MORE & MORE AGGRESSIVE1 & EV5 F]OCI\S1 %E ADDRESS$ H]SELF TO ,JEANNE AGA91 :O /OOD TREMBL+ BE=E H] GAZE4 

0,I W>N Y\10 SAID %E1 5UNCIAT+ EA* WORD SEP>ATELY1 0,I W>N Y\ ?AT1 IF Y\ 5T] MY S]VICE1 ,I WILL NOT ALL[ Y\ TO BR+ Y\R LITTLE GIRL TO MY H\SE4 ,NO GO+S & COM+S 9 ! H\SE2 ,I WANT NO GO+S & COM+S 9 ! H\SE4 ,NO1 NO4 ,NO /RANG]S1 NO VAGABONDS1 NO UNKN[N PEOPLE4 ,ONE IS EXPOS$ QUITE 5\< ) ! ORD9>Y RUN ( CALL]S4 ,OH6 NO1 ?ANK Y\60 

,9 SPITE ( ?IS DECL>ATION1 :I* WAS NOT V]Y PREPOSSESS+1 ! LITTLE S]VANT D>$ TO ASK1 NEV]!LESS3 

0,9 ?AT CASE1 ,MADAME SURELY WILL P]MIT ME TO GO & SEE MY LITTLE GIRL1 ONCE A YE>1--JU/ ONCE A YE>60 

0,NO40 

,SU* WAS ! REPLY ( ! IMPLACABLE B\RGEOISE4 ,& %E ADD$3 

0,MY S]VANTS NEV] GO \T4 ,IT IS ! PR9CIPLE ( ! H\SE1--A PR9CIPLE ON :I* ,I AM NOT WILL+ TO COMPROMISE4 ,I DO NOT PAY DOME/ICS ?AT !Y MAY MAKE ! R\ND ( D\BTFUL RESORTS1 UND] PRET5SE ( GO+ TO SEE !IR DAU<T]S4 ,?AT W\LD BE REALLY TOO CONV5I5T4 ,NO1 NO4 ,Y\ HAVE RECOMM5DATIONS80 

0,YES1 ,MADAME40 

,%E DREW FROM H] POCKET A PAP] 9 :I* W]E WRAPP$ SOME RECOMM5DATIONS1 YELL[1 CRUMPL$1 & SOIL$2 & %E SIL5TLY H&$ !M TO ,MADAME1 ) A TREMBL+ H&4 ,MADAME1 ) ! TIPS ( H] F+]S1 AS IF TO AVOID SOIL+ !M1 & ) GRIMACES ( DISGU/1 UNFOLD$ ONE1 :I* %E BEGAN TO READ AL\D3 

0',I C]TIFY ?AT ! GIRL ,J'44440 

,SUDD5LY 9T]RUPT+ H]SELF1 %E CA/ AN ATROCI\S LOOK AT ,JEANNE1 :O WAS GR[+ MORE ANXI\S & TR\BL$4 

0',! GIRL'8 ,IT PLA9LY SAYS 'GIRL4' ,!N Y\ >E NOT M>RI$8 ,Y\ HAVE A *ILD1 & Y\ >E NOT M>RI$8 ,:AT DOES ?AT MEAN80 

,! S]VANT EXPLA9$4 

0,I ASK ,MADAME'S P>DON4 ,I HAVE BE5 M>RI$ = ?REE YE>S1 & ?IS RECOMM5DATION WAS WRITT5 SIX YE>S AGO4 ,MADAME CAN SEE ! DATE = H]SELF40 

0,WELL1 ?AT IS Y\R AFFAIR40 

,& %E RESUM$ H] READ+ ( ! RECOMM5DATION4 

0444 '?AT ! GIRL ,JEANNE ,LE ,GODEC HAS BE5 9 MY S]VICE = ?IRTE5 MON?S1 & ?AT ,I HAVE NO CAUSE ( COMPLA9T AGA9/ H]1 ON ! SCORE ( WORK1 BEHAVIOR1 & HONE/Y4' ,YES1 IT IS ALWAYS ! SAME ?+4 ,RECOMM5DATIONS ?AT SAY NO?+1 ?AT PROVE NO?+4 ,!Y GIVE ONE NO 9=MATION4 ,:]E CAN ONE WRITE TO ?IS LADY80 

0,%E IS DEAD40 

0,%E IS DEAD4 ,TO BE SURE1 EVID5TLY %E IS DEAD4 ,SO Y\ HAVE A RECOMM5DATION1 & ! V]Y P]SON :O GAVE IT TO Y\ IS DEAD4 ,Y\ WILL CONFESS ?AT HAS A SOME:AT D\BTFUL LOOK40 

,ALL ?IS WAS SAID ) A V]Y HUMILIAT+ EXPRESSION ( SUSPICION1 & 9 A TONE ( GROSS IRONY4 ,%E TOOK ANO!R RECOMM5DATION4 

0,& ?IS P]SON8 ,%E IS DEAD1 TOO1 NO D\BT80 

0,NO1 ,MADAME4 ,MME4 ,ROB]T IS 9 ,ALG]IA ) H] HUSB&1 :O IS A COLONEL40 

0,9 ,ALG]IA60 EXCLAIM$ ! LADY4 0,NATURALLY4 ,H[ DO Y\ EXPECT ANYBODY TO WRITE TO ,ALG]IA8 ,SOME >E DEAD1 O!RS >E 9 ,ALG]IA4 ,! IDEA ( SEEK+ 9=MATION 9 ,ALG]IA6 ,?IS IS ALL V]Y EXTRAORD9>Y40 

0,BUT ,I HAVE O!RS1 ,MADAME10 IMPLOR$ ! UN=TUNATE ,JEANNE ,LE ,GODEC4 0,MADAME CAN SEE = H]SELF4 ,MADAME CAN 9=M H]SELF40 

0,YES1 YES6 ,I SEE Y\ HAVE MANY O!RS4 ,I SEE ?AT Y\ HAVE BE5 9 MANY PLACES1--MU* TOO MANY PLACES4 ,AT Y\R AGE1 ?AT IS NOT V]Y PREPOSSESS+6 ,WELL1 LEAVE ME Y\R RECOMM5DATIONS1 & ,I WILL SEE4 ,N[ SOME?+ ELSE4 ,:AT CAN Y\ DO80 

0,I CAN DO H\SEWORK1 SEW1 WAIT ON TABLE40 

0,>E Y\ GOOD AT M5D+80 

0,YES1 ,MADAME40 

0,DO Y\ KN[ H[ TO FATT5 P\LTRY80 

0,NO1 ,MADAME4 ,?AT IS NOT MY BUS9ESS40 

0,Y\R BUS9ESS1 MY GIRL10 DECL>$ ! LADY1 SEV]ELY1 0IS TO DO :AT Y\R MA/]S TELL Y\ TO DO4 ,Y\ MU/ HAVE A DETE/ABLE *>ACT]40 

0,:Y1 NO1 ,MADAME4 ,I AM NOT AT ALL 9CL9$ TO TALK BACK40 

0,NATURALLY4 ,Y\ SAY SO2 !Y ALL SAY SO2 & !Y >E NOT TO BE T\*$ ) A PAIR ( TONGS4 ,WELL1 LET ME SEE1 ,I BELIEVE ,I HAVE ALREADY TOLD Y\ ?AT ! PLACE1 :ILE NOT P>TICUL>LY H>D1 IS ( SOME IMPORTANCE4 ,! S]VANTS RISE AT FIVE O'CLOCK40 

0,9 W9T] TOO80 

0,9 W9T] TOO4 ,YES1 C]TA9LY4 ,& :Y DO Y\ SAY3 ',9 W9T] TOO'8 ,IS !RE LESS WORK TO BE DONE 9 W9T]8 ,:AT A RIDICUL\S QUE/ION61 ,! *AMB]MAID DOES ! /AIRS1 ! SALON1 ,MONSIEUR'S /UDY1 ! *AMB] ( C\RSE1 & ATT5DS TO ALL ! FIRES4 ,! COOK DOES ! ANTE-*AMB]1 ! HALLS1 & ! D9+-ROOM4 ,I AM V]Y P>TICUL> ON ! SCORE ( CLEANL9ESS4 ,I CANNOT BE> TO SEE A SPECK ( DU/ 9 ! H\SE4 ,! DOOR-KNOBS MU/ BE WELL POLI%$1 ! FURNITURE MU/ %9E1 & ! MIRRORS MU/ BE ?OR\<LY CLEAN$4 ,! *AMB]MAID HAS *>GE ( ! P\LTRY-Y>D40 

0,BUT1 ,MADAME1 ,I KN[ NO?+ AB\T P\LTRY-Y>DS40 

0,WELL1 Y\ WILL LE>N4 ,! *AMB]MAID SOAPS1 WA%ES1 & IRONS1 EXCEPT ,MONSIEUR'S %IRTS2 %E DOES ! SEW+1--,I HAVE NO SEW+ DONE \TSIDE1 EXCEPT ! MAK+ ( MY CO/UMES2 %E WAITS ON TABLE1 HELPS ! COOK TO WIPE ! DI%ES1 & DOES ! POLI%+4 ,!RE MU/ BE ORD]1 P]FECT ORD]4 ,I AM A /ICKL] = ORD] & CLEANL9ESS1 & ESPECIALLY = HONE/Y4 ,MOREOV]1 EV]Y?+ IS UND] LOCK & KEY4 ,IF ANY?+ IS WANT$1 ,I MU/ BE ASK$ = IT4 ,I HAVE A HORROR ( WA/E4 ,:AT >E Y\ ACCU/OM$ TO TAKE 9 ! MORN+80 

0,C(FEE ) MILK1 ,MADAME40 

0,C(FEE ) MILK8 ,Y\ DO NOT /9T Y\RSELF4 ,YES1 9 !SE DAYS !Y ALL TAKE C(FEE ) MILK4 ,WELL1 ?AT IS NOT ! CU/OM 9 MY H\SE4 ,Y\ WILL TAKE S\P2 IT IS BETT] = ! /OMA*4 ,:AT DID Y\ SAY80 

,JEANNE HAD SAID NO?+4 ,BUT IT WAS EVID5T %E WAS MAK+ AN EF=T TO SAY SOME?+4 ,AT LA/ %E MADE UP H] M9D4 

0,I ASK ,MADAME'S P>DON1 BUT :AT DOES ,MADAME GIVE US TO DR9K80 

0,SIX QU>TS ( CID] A WEEK40 

0,I CANNOT DR9K CID]1 ,MADAME4 ,! DOCTOR HAS =BIDD5 ME TO40 

0,AH6 ! DOCTOR HAS =BIDD5 Y\ TO4 ,WELL1 ,I WILL GIVE Y\ SIX QU>TS ( CID]4 ,IF Y\ WANT W9E1 Y\ WILL BUY IT4 ,?AT CONC]NS Y\4 ,:AT PAY DO Y\ EXPECT80 

,%E HESITAT$1 LOOK$ AT ! C>PET1 ! CLOCK1 & ! CEIL+1 ROLL$ H] UMBRELLA 9 H] H&S1 & SAID1 TIMIDLY3 

0,=TY FRANCS40 

0,=TY FRANCS60 EXCLAIM$ ,MADAME4 0,:Y DON'T Y\ SAY T5 ?\S& FRANCS1 & DONE ) IT8 ,Y\ MU/ BE CRAZY4 ,=TY FRANCS6 ,:Y1 IT IS UNHE>D (6 ,WE US$ TO PAY FIFTE5 FRANCS1 & GOT MU* BETT] S]VICE4 ,=TY FRANCS6 ,& Y\ DO NOT EV5 KN[ H[ TO FATT5 P\LTRY6 ,Y\ DO NOT KN[ H[ TO DO ANY?+6 ,I PAY ?IRTY FRANCS1 & ,I ?9K ?AT ALTOGE!R TOO MU*4 ,Y\ HAVE NO EXP5SES 9 MY H\SE4 ,I AM NOT EXACT+ AS TO :AT Y\ WE>4 ,& Y\ >E WA%$ & F$4 ,GOD KN[S H[ WELL Y\ >E F$6 ,I GIVE \T ! PORTIONS MYSELF40 

,JEANNE 9SI/$3 

0,I HAVE HAD =TY FRANCS 9 ALL ! PLACES :]E ,I HAVE WORK$40 

,BUT ! LADY HAD RIS54 ,&1 9 A DRY & UGLY VOICE1 %E EXCLAIM$3 

0,WELL1 Y\ HAD BETT] GO BACK TO !M4 ,=TY FRANCS6 ,SU* IMPUD5CE6 ,H]E >E Y\R RECOMM5DATIONS--Y\R RECOMM5DATIONS FROM DEAD PEOPLE4 ,BE (F ) Y\60 

,JEANNE C>EFULLY WRAPP$ UP H] RECOMM5DATIONS1 PUT !M BACK 9TO ! POCKET ( H] DRESS1 & !N SAID1 IMPLOR+LY1 9 A TIMID & SORR[FUL VOICE3 

0,IF ,MADAME WILL GO AS HI< AS ?IRTY-FIVE FRANCS1 WE C\LD COME TO T]MS40 

0,NOT A S\4 ,BE (F ) Y\6 ,GO TO ,ALG]IA TO F9D AGA9 Y\R ,MME4 ,ROB]T4 ,GO :]E Y\ LIKE4 ,!RE IS NO LACK ( VAGABONDS LIKE Y\2 !RE >E HEAPS ( !M4 ,BE (F ) Y\40 

,) SAD FACE & SL[ /EP ,JEANNE LEFT ! BUREAU1 AFT] CURTSY+ TWICE4 ,I SAW FROM H] EYES & LIPS ?AT %E WAS ON ! PO9T ( CRY+4 

,LEFT ALONE1 ! LADY %\T$ FURI\SLY3 0,AH6 !SE DOME/ICS1 :AT A PLAGUE6 ,IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE S]V$ !SE DAYS40 

,TO :I* ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&1 :O HAD F9I%$ SORT+ H] C>DS1 ANSW]$1 MAJE/IC1 CRU%$1 & SEV]E3 

0,I HAD W>N$ Y\1 ,MADAME2 !Y >E ALL LIKE ?AT4 ,!Y >E UNWILL+ TO DO ANY?+1 & EXPECT TO E>N HUNDR$S & ?\S&S4 ,I HAVE NO?+ ELSE TO-DAY4 ,ALL ! O!RS >E WORSE4 ,TO-MORR[ ,I WILL TRY TO F9D Y\ SOME?+4 ,OH6 IT IS V]Y DI/RESS+1 ,I ASSURE Y\40 

,I GOT D[N FROM MY PO/ ( OBS]VATION ! V]Y MOM5T ?AT ,JEANNE ,LE ,GODEC WAS RE5T]+ ! ANTE-ROOM1 AMID AN UPRO>4 

0,WELL80 !Y ASK$ H]4 

,%E W5T & SAT D[N ON H] B5* AT ! RE> ( ! ROOM1 & !RE1 ) L[]$ HEAD1 FOLD$ >MS1 HEAVY HE>T1 & EMPTY /OMA*1 %E REMA9$ 9 SIL5CE1 H] TWO LITTLE FEET TWIT*+ N]V\SLY UND] H] G[N4 

,BUT ,I SAW ?+S SADD] /ILL4 

,AMONG ! GIRLS :O CAME DAILY TO ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&'S ,I HAD NOTIC$ ONE ESPECIALLY1 9 ! FIR/ PLACE BECAUSE %E WORE A ,BRETON CAP1 & !N BECAUSE ! V]Y SI<T ( H] FILL$ ME ) UNCONQU]ABLE MELAN*OLY4 ,A PEASANT GIRL A/RAY 9 ,P>IS1 9 ?IS FRI<TFUL1 JO/L+1 FEV]I% ,P>IS1--,I KN[ NO?+ MORE LAM5TABLE4 ,9VOLUNT>ILY IT 9VITES ME TO A SURVEY ( MY [N PA/1 & MOVES ME 9F9ITELY4 ,:]E IS %E GO+8 ,:]E DOES %E COME FROM8 ,:Y DID %E LEAVE H] HOME8 ,:AT MADNESS1 :AT TRAG$Y1 :AT TEMPE/ HAS PU%$ H] =?1 & /R&$ H]1 A SORR[FUL WAIF1 9 ?IS RO>+ HUMAN SEA8 ,!SE QUE/IONS ,I ASK$ MYSELF EV]Y DAY1 AS ,I EXAM9$ ?IS POOR GIRL SITT+ 9 H] CORN]1 SO FRI<TFULLY ISOLAT$4 

,%E WAS UGLY ) ?AT DEF9ITIVE UGL9ESS :I* EXCLUDES ALL IDEA ( PITY & MAKES PEOPLE F]OCI\S1 BECAUSE IT IS REALLY AN (F5SE TO !M4 ,H[EV] DISGRAC$ %E MAY BE BY NATURE1 A WOMAN R>ELY REA*ES ! PO9T ( TOTAL & ABSOLUTE UGL9ESS1 UTT] DEG5]ACY FROM ! HUMAN E/ATE4 ,G5]ALLY %E HAS SOME?+1 NO MATT] :AT1--EYES1 A M\?1 AN UNDULATION ( ! BODY1 A B5D+ ( ! HIPS1 OR LESS ?AN ?AT1 A MOVEM5T ( ! >MS1 A C\PL+ ( ! WRI/1 A FRE%NESS ( SK91 UPON :I* O!RS MAY RE/ !IR EYES )\T BE+ (F5D$4 ,EV5 9 ! V]Y OLD A C]TA9 GRACE ALMO/ ALWAYS SURVIVES ! DE=MATIONS ( ! BODY1 ! DEA? ( SEX1 & ! SEAMY FLE% BETRAYS SOME S\V5IR ( :AT !Y =M]LY W]E4 ,! ,BRETON HAD NO?+ ( ! K9D1 & %E WAS V]Y Y\NG4 ,LITTLE1 LONG-WAI/$1 ANGUL>1 ) FLAT HIPS1 & LEGS SO %ORT ?AT IT SEEM$ AS IF %E REALLY CALL$ TO M9D ?OSE B>B>IAN VIRG9S1 ?OSE SNUB-NOS$ SA9TS1 %APELESS BLOCKS ( GRANITE ?AT HAVE BE5 LEAN+ = C5TURIES1 9 LONEL9ESS1 ON ! 9CL9$ >MS ( ,>MORICAN ,CALV>IES4 ,& H] FACE8 ,AH6 ! UN=TUNATE6 ,AN OV]HANG+ BR[2 PUPILS SO DIM 9 \TL9E ?AT !Y SEEM$ TO HAVE BE5 RUBB$ ) A RAG2 A HORRIBLE NOSE1 FLAT AT ! />T1 GA%$ ) A FURR[ D[N ! MIDDLE1 & SUDD5LY TURN+ UP AT ITS TIP1 & OP5+ 9TO TWO BLACK1 R\ND1 DEEP1 5ORM\S HOLES1 FR+$ ) /IFF HAIR4 ,& OV] ALL ?IS A GRAY & SCALY SK91--! SK9 ( A DEAD ADD]1 A SK9 ?AT1 9 ! LI<T1 LOOK$ AS IF IT HAD BE5 SPR9KL$ ) FL\R4 ,YET ! UNSPEAKABLE CREATURE HAD ONE BEAUTY ?AT MANY BEAUTIFUL WOM5 W\LD HAVE 5VI$1--H] HAIR1 MAGNIFIC5T1 HEAVY1 ?ICK HAIR1 ( A RESPL5D5T R$ REFLECT+ GOLD & PURPLE4 ,BUT1 F> FROM BE+ A PALLIATION ( H] UGL9ESS1 ?IS HAIR ONLY AGGRAVAT$ IT1 MAK+ IT MORE /RIK+1 FULGURAT+1 IRREP>ABLE4 

,?IS IS NOT ALL4 ,EV]Y MOVEM5T ?AT %E MADE WAS CLUMSY4 ,%E C\LD NOT TAKE A /EP )\T RUNN+ AGA9/ SOME?+2 EV]Y?+ %E TOOK 9TO H] H&S %E WAS SURE TO LET FALL2 H] >MS HIT AGA9/ ! FURNITURE1 & SWEPT (F EV]Y?+ ?AT WAS LY+ ON IT4 ,:5 WALK+1 %E /EPP$ ON Y\R TOES & DUG H] ELB[S 9TO Y\R BREA/2 !N %E EXCUS$ H]SELF ) A H>% & SULL5 VOICE1 A VOICE ?AT BREA!D 9TO Y\R FACE A TA9T$1 CORPSE-LIKE ODOR4 ,AS SOON AS %E 5T]$ ! ANTE-ROOM !RE AT ONCE >OSE AMONG US A SORT ( IRRITAT$ COMPLA9T1 :I* QUICKLY *ANG$ 9TO 9SULT+ RECRIM9ATIONS & 5D$ 9 GR[LS4 ,! WRET*$ CREATURE WAS HOOT$ AS %E CROSS$ ! ROOM1 ROLL+ ALONG ON H] %ORT LEGS1 PASS$ ON FROM ONE TO ANO!R LIKE A BALL1 UNTIL %E REA*$ H] B5* AT ! 5D ( ! ROOM4 ,& EV]Y ONE PRET5D$ TO DRAW AWAY FROM H]1 ) SIGNIFICANT GE/URES ( DISGU/1 & GRIMACES ?AT W]E ACCOMPANI$ ) A LIFT+ ( H&K]*IEFS4 ,!N1 9 ! EMPTY SPACE 9/ANTANE\SLY =M$ BEH9D ! SANIT>Y CORDON ?AT ISOLAT$ H] FROM US1 ! DISMAL GIRL SAT LEAN+ AGA9/ ! WALL1 SIL5T & DETE/$1 )\T A COMPLA9T1 )\T REVOLT1 )\T SEEM+ TO UND]/& ?AT ALL ?IS CONTEMPT WAS MEANT = H]4 

,AL?\<1 NOT TO BE UNLIKE ! O!RS1 ,I SOMETIMES TOOK P>T 9 ?IS CRUEL SPORT1 ,I C\LD NOT HELP FEEL+ A SORT ( PITY = ! LITTLE ,BRETON4 ,I UND]/OOD ?AT H]E WAS A BE+ PR$E/9$ TO MIS=TUNE1--ONE ( ?OSE BE+S :O1 :ATEV] !Y MAY DO & :]EV] !Y MAY GO1 WILL BE ET]NALLY REPULS$ BY M51 & ALSO BY BEA/S1--= !RE IS A C]TA9 HEI<T ( UGL9ESS1 A C]TA9 =M ( 9FIRMITY1 ?AT ! BEA/S !MSELVES DO NOT TOL]ATE4 

,ONE DAY1 OV]COM+ MY DISGU/1 ,I APPROA*$ H]1 & ASK$3 

0,:AT IS Y\R NAME80 

0,L\ISE ,R&ON40 

0,I AM A ,BRETON 444 FROM ,AUDI]NE4 ,& Y\1 TOO1 >E A ,BRETON1 >E Y\ NOT80 

,A/ONI%$ ?AT ANYONE WAS WILL+ TO SPEAK TO H]1 & FE>+ SOME 9SULT OR PRACTICAL JOKE1 %E DID NOT ANSW] DIRECTLY4 ,%E BURI$ H] ?UMB 9 ! DEEP CAV]NS ( H] NOSE4 ,I REPEAT$ MY QUE/ION4 

0,FROM :AT P>T ( ,BRITTANY DO Y\ COME80 

,!N %E LOOK$ AT ME1 &1 SEE+ UND\BT$LY ?AT !RE WAS NO UNK9DNESS 9 MY EYES1 %E DECID$ TO ANSW]3 

0,I AM FROM ,SA9T-,MI*EL-5-,GREVE1 NE> ,LANNION40 

,I KNEW NOT :AT FUR!R TO SAY TO H]4 ,H] VOICE WAS REPULSIVE TO ME4 ,IT WAS NOT A VOICE2 IT WAS SOME?+ HO>SE & BROK51 LIKE A HICCUP1--A SORT ( GURGLE4 ,?IS VOICE DROVE AWAY MY PITY4 ,H[EV]1 ,I W5T ON4 

0,Y\ HAVE RELATIVES LIV+80 

0,YES2 MY FA!R1 MY MO!R1 TWO BRO!RS1 F\R SI/]S4 ,I AM ! OLDE/40 

0,& Y\R FA!R8 ,:AT DOES HE DO80 

0,HE IS A BLACKSMI?40 

0,Y\ >E POOR40 

0,MY FA!R HAS ?REE FIELDS1 ?REE H\SES1 ?REE ?RE%+-MA*9ES44440 

0,!N HE IS RI*80 

0,SURELY HE IS RI*4 ,HE CULTIVATES HIS FIELDS & R5TS HIS H\SES1 & GOES AB\T ! C\NTRY ) HIS ?RE%+-MA*9ES & ?RE%ES ! PEASANTS' :EAT4 ,& MY BRO!R %OES ! HORSES40 

0,& Y\R SI/]S80 

0,!Y HAVE BEAUTIFUL LACE CAPS & EMBROID]$ G[NS40 

0,& Y\80 

0,I HAVE NO?+40 

,I DREW FUR!R AWAY1 ?AT ,I MI<T NOT GET ! MORTAL ODOR ( ?IS VOICE4 

0,:Y >E Y\ A DOME/IC80 ,I RESUM$4 

0,BECAUSE44440 

0,:Y DID Y\ LEAVE HOME80 

0,BECAUSE44440 

0,Y\ W]E NOT HAPPY80 

,%E SPOKE V]Y QUICKLY1 9 A VOICE ?AT RU%$ & ROLL$ ! WORDS \T1 LIKE PEBBLES4 

0,MY FA!R :IPP$ ME2 MY MO!R :IPP$ ME2 MY SI/]S :IPP$ ME2 EV]YBODY :IPP$ ME2 !Y MADE ME DO EV]Y?+4 ,I BR\<T UP MY SI/]S40 

0,:Y DID !Y :IP Y\80 

0,I DO NOT KN[2 JU/ TO :IP ME4 ,9 ALL FAMILIES !RE IS SOME ONE :O IS :IPP$ 444 BECAUSE 444 WELL1 ONE DOES NOT KN[40 

,MY QUE/IONS NO LONG] ANNOY$ H]4 ,%E WAS GA9+ CONFID5CE4 

0,& Y\80 %E SAID TO ME1 0DID NOT Y\R P>5TS :IP Y\80 

0,OH6 YES40 

0,( C\RSE2 ?AT IS H[ ?+S >E40 

,L\ISE WAS NO LONG] EXPLOR+ H] NOSE2 H] TWO H&S1 ) !IR CLOSE-CLIPP$ NAILS1 LAY FLAT UPON H] ?I<S4 ,:ISP]+ WAS GO+ ON >\ND US4 ,LAU<S1 QU>RELS1 & LAM5TATIONS PREV5T$ ! O!RS FROM HE>+ \R CONV]SATION4 

0,BUT H[ DID Y\ HAPP5 TO COME TO ,P>IS80 ,I ASK$1 AFT] A SIL5CE4 

0,LA/ YE>10 ANSW]$ ,L\ISE1 0!RE WAS A LADY FROM ,P>IS AT ,SA9T-,MI*EL-5-,GREVE1 :O WAS TAK+ ! SEA-BA?S ) H] *ILDR54 ,%E HAD DIS*>G$ H] DOME/IC = /EAL+1 & ,I (F]$ TO GO TO WORK = H]4 ,& SO %E TOOK ME ) H] TO ,P>IS1 TO TAKE C>E ( H] FA!R1 AN OLD 9VALID :OSE LEGS W]E P>ALYZ$40 

0,& Y\ DID NOT /AY 9 Y\R PLACE8 ,9 ,P>IS IT IS NOT ! SAME ?+40 

0,NO10 %E EXCLAIM$1 5]GETICALLY4 0,I C\LD HAVE REMA9$2 IT WAS NOT ?AT4 ,BUT ,I WAS NOT TREAT$ RI<T40 

,H] DULL EYES LI<T$ UP /RANGELY4 ,SOME?+ LIKE A GLEAM ( PRIDE PASS$ OV] !M4 ,& H] BODY /RAI<T5$ UP1 & BECAME ALMO/ TRANSFIGUR$4 

0,I WAS NOT TREAT$ RI<T10 %E REPEAT$4 0,! OLD MAN MADE ADVANCES TO ME40 

,= A MOM5T ,I WAS /UNN$ BY ?IS REVELATION4 ,WAS IT POSSIBLE8 ,!N A DESIRE1 EV5 ?AT ( A L[ & NA/Y OLD MAN1 HAD BE5 FELT = ?IS BUNDLE ( %APELESS FLE%1 ?IS MON/R\S IRONY ( NATURE8 ,A KISS HAD WI%$ TO PLACE ITSELF UPON !SE DECAY+ TEE? & M+LE ) ?IS ROTT5 BREA?8 ,AH6 :AT FIL?Y ?+S M5 >E6 ,:AT A FRI<TFUL MADNESS1 !N1 IS LOVE6 ,I LOOK$ AT ,L\ISE4 ,BUT ! FLAME HAD GONE \T ( H] EYES4 ,ONCE MORE H] PUPILS LOOK$ LIKE DEAD GRAY SPOTS4 

0,?AT WAS SOME TIME AGO80 ,I ASK$4 

0,?REE MON?S40 

0,& S9CE !N Y\ HAVE F\ND NO PLACE80 

0,NOBODY WANTS ME4 ,I DO NOT KN[ :Y4 ,:5 ,I 5T] ! BUREAU1 ALL ! LADIES CRY \T AT ! SI<T ( ME3 ',NO1 NO2 ,I DON'T WANT H]4' ,!RE MU/ SURELY BE SOME SPELL OV] ME4 ,=1 Y\ KN[1 ,I AM NOT UGLY2 ,I AM V]Y /RONG2 ,I KN[ MY WORK2 & MY WILL IS GOOD4 ,IF ,I AM TOO SMALL1 IT IS NOT MY FAULT4 ,SURELY1 SOME ONE HAS ?R[N A SPELL OV] ME40 

0,H[ DO Y\ LIVE80 

0,9 A LODG+-H\SE4 ,I DO ALL ! *AMB]S1 & ,I M5D ! L954 ,!Y GIVE ME A MATTRESS 9 ! G>RET1 & A MEAL 9 ! MORN+40 

,!RE W]E SOME1 !N1 ?AT W]E MORE UN=TUNATE ?AN MYSELF6 ,?IS EGOI/IC ?\<T BR\<T BACK ! PITY ?AT HAD VANI%$ FROM MY HE>T4 

0,LI/51 MY LITTLE ,L\ISE10 ,I SAID1 9 A VOICE :I* ,I TRI$ TO MAKE AS T5D] & CONV9C+ AS POSSIBLE4 0,PLACES 9 ,P>IS >E V]Y H>D4 ,ONE HAS TO KN[ MANY ?+S1 & ! MA/]S >E MORE EXACT+ ?AN ELSE:]E4 ,I AM MU* AFRAID = Y\4 ,IF ,I W]E Y\1 ,I W\LD GO HOME AGA940 

,BUT ,L\ISE BECAME FRI<T5$4 

0,NO1 NO10 %E EXCLAIM$1 0NEV]6 ,I DO NOT WANT TO GO HOME4 ,!Y W\LD SAY ?AT ,I HAD NOT SUCCE$$1 ?AT NOBODY WANT$ ME2 !Y W\LD LAU< AT ME TOO MU*4 ,NO1 NO1 IT IS IMPOSSIBLE2 ,I W\LD RA!R DIE60 

,JU/ !N ! DOOR ( ! ANTE-ROOM OP5$4 ,! %RILL VOICE ( ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& CALL$3 

0,MADEMOISELLE ,L\ISE ,R&ON60 

0,>E !Y CALL+ ME80 ASK$ ,L\ISE1 FRI<T5$ & TREMBL+4 

0,:Y1 YES1 IT IS Y\4 ,GO QUICKLY1 & TRY TO SUCCE$ ?IS TIME40 

,%E >OSE1 GAVE ME A DIG 9 ! RIBS ) H] \T/RET*$ ELB[S1 /EPP$ ON MY FEET1 RAN AGA9/ ! TABLE1 &1 ROLL+ ALONG ON H] TOO %ORT LEGS1 DISAPPE>$1 FOLL[$ BY HOOTS4 

,I M\NT$ MY /OOL1 & PU%$ OP5 ! CASEM5T-W9D[1 TO WAT* ! SC5E ?AT WAS AB\T TO TAKE PLACE4 ,NEV] DID ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&'S SALON SEEM TO ME GLOOMI]2 YET ,GOD KN[S :E!R IT HAD FROZ5 MY S\L1 EV]Y TIME ,I HAD 5T]$ IT4 ,OH6 ?AT FURNITURE UPHOL/]$ 9 BLUE REP1 TURN$ YELL[ BY WE>2 ?AT HUGE BOOK ( RECORD SPREAD LIKE ! SPLIT C>CASS ( A BEA/1 ON ! TABLE1 ALSO COV]$ ) BLUE REP SPOTT$ ) 9K4 ,& ?AT DESK1 :]E ,M4 ,L\IS'S ELB[S HAD LEFT BRI<T & %9+ SPOTS ON ! D>K WOOD4 ,& ! SIDEBO>D AT ! RE>1 UPON :I* /OOD =EIGN GLASSW>E1 & TABLE-W>E H&$ D[N FROM ANCE/ORS4 ,& ON ! MANTEL1 BETWE5 TWO LAMPS :I* HAD LO/ !IR BRONZE1 BETWE5 PHOTOGRAPHS ?AT HAD LO/ !IR COLOR1 ?AT TIRESOME CLOCK1 :OSE 5]VAT+ TIC-TAC MADE ! H\RS LONG]4 ,& ?AT DOME-%AP$ CAGE 9 :I* TWO HOMESICK CAN>IES SWELL$ !IR DAMAG$ PLUMAGE4 ,& ?AT MAHOGANY CASE ( PIGEON-HOLES1 SCRAT*$ BY GRE$Y NAILS4 ,BUT ,I HAD NOT TAK5 MY PO/ ( OBS]VATION = ! PURPOSE ( TAK+ AN 9V5TORY ( ?IS ROOM1 :I* ,I KNEW1 ALAS6 TOO WELL1--?IS LUGUBRI\S 9T]IOR1 SO TRAGIC1 9 SPITE ( ITS B\RGEOIS OBSCURITY1 ?AT MANY TIMES MY MADD5$ IMAG9ATION TRANS=M$ IT 9TO A GLOOMY BUT*]-%OP = ! SALE ( HUMAN MEAT4 ,NO2 ,I WANT$ TO SEE ,L\ISE ,R&ON1 9 ! CLUT*ES ( ! SLAVE-TRAD]S4 

,!RE %E WAS1 NE> ! W9D[1 9 A FALSE LI<T1 /&+ MOTIONLESS1 ) HANG+ >MS4 ,A H>D %AD[1 LIKE A ?ICK VEIL1 ADD$ CONFUSION TO ! UGL9ESS ( H] FACE1 & MADE /ILL MORE ( A HEAP ( ! %ORT & MASSIVE DE=MITY ( H] BODY4 ,A H>D LI<T ILLUM9AT$ ! L[] LOCKS ( H] HAIR1 5HANC$ ! %APELESSNESS ( H] >MS & BREA/1 & LO/ ITSELF 9 ! D>K FOLDS ( H] DEPLORABLE SKIRT4 ,AN OLD LADY WAS EXAM9+ H]4 ,%E WAS SITT+ 9 A *AIR ) H] BACK T[>D ME1--A HO/ILE BACK1 A F]OCI\S NECK4 ,( ?IS OLD LADY ,I SAW NO?+ BUT H] BLACK CAP1 ) ITS RIDICUL\S PLUMES1 H] BLACK CAPE1 :OSE L9+ TURN$ UP AT ! BOTTOM 9 GRAY FUR1 & H] BLACK G[N1 :I* MADE R+S UPON ! C>PET4 ,I SAW ESPECIALLY1 LY+ UPON ONE ( H] KNEES1 H] H& GLOV$ ) BLACK FLOSS-SILK1 A KNOTTY & G\TY H& ?AT MOV$ SL[LY AB\T1 ! F+]S /RET*+ \T & DRAW+ BACK1 CLUT*+ ! MAT]IAL ( H] DRESS1 AS TALONS FA/5 UPON LIV+ PREY4 ,/&+ NE> ! TABLE1 V]Y ]ECT & DIGNIFI$1 ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& WAS WAIT+4 

,IT SEEMS A SMALL MATT]1 DOES IT NOT8 ! MEET+ ( !SE ?REE COMMONPLACE BE+S1 9 ?IS COMMONPLACE SETT+4 ,9 ?IS V]Y ORD9>Y FACT !RE WAS NO?+ TO CAUSE ONE TO /OP1 NO?+ TO MOVE ONE4 ,NEV]!LESS IT SEEM$ TO ME AN 5ORM\S DRAMA1 !SE ?REE P]SONS1 SIL5TLY GAZ+ AT ONE ANO!R4 ,I FELT ?AT ,I WAS WITNESS+ A SOCIAL TRAG$Y1 T]RIBLE1 AGONIZ+1 WORSE ?AN A MURD]6 ,MY ?ROAT WAS DRY4 ,MY HE>T BEAT VIOL5TLY4 

0,I DO NOT GET A GOOD VIEW ( Y\1 MY LITTLE ONE10 SAID ! OLD LADY1 SUDD5LY4 0,DO NOT /AY !RE2 ,I DO NOT GET A GOOD VIEW ( Y\4 ,GO TO ! RE> ( ! ROOM1 ?AT ,I MAY SEE Y\ BETT]40 

,& %E CRI$1 9 AN A/ONI%$ VOICE3 

0,MY ,GOD6 H[ LITTLE Y\ >E60 

,9 SAY+ !SE WORDS1 %E HAD MOV$ H] *AIR1 & N[ ,I HAD A SI<T ( H] PR(ILE4 ,I EXPECT$ TO SEE A HOOK$ NOSE1 LONG TEE? PROTRUD+ FROM ! M\?1 & ! R\ND & YELL[ EYE ( A HAWK4 ,NOT AT ALL2 H] FACE WAS CALM1 RA!R AMIABLE4 ,9 TRU?1 !RE WAS NO EXPRESSION AT ALL 9 H] EYES1 EI!R K9D OR UNK9D4 ,%E MU/ HAVE BE5 AN OLD %OP-KEEP]1 RETIR$ FROM BUS9ESS4 ,M]*ANTS HAVE ?IS FACULTY ( ACQUIR+ A SPECIAL PHYSIOGNOMY1 REVEAL+ NO?+ ( !IR 9N] NATURE4 ,9 PROPORTION AS !Y GR[ H>D5$ 9 !IR BUS9ESS1 & AS ! HABIT ( UNJU/ & RAPID GA9S DEVELOPS L[ 9/9CTS & F]OCI\S AMBITIONS1 ! EXPRESSION ( !IR FACE S(T5S1 OR1 RA!R1 BECOMES NEUTRALIZ$4 ,?AT 9 !M :I* IS BAD1 ?AT :I* MI<T 9SPIRE DI/RU/ 9 !IR CU/OM]S1 HIDES ITSELF 9 ! PRIVACIES ( !IR BE+1 OR TAKES REFUGE ON CORPOREAL SURFACES ?AT >E ORD9>ILY DE/ITUTE ( ANY EXPRESSION :ATEV]4 ,9 ?IS OLD LADY ! H>DNESS ( H] S\L1 9VISIBLE 9 H] EYES1 9 H] M\?1 9 H] =EHEAD1 9 ALL ! RELAX$ MUSCLES ( H] FLABBY FACE1 WAS EXHIBIT$ PROM95TLY 9 H] NECK4 ,H] NECK WAS H] REAL FACE1 & ?IS FACE WAS T]RIBLE4 

,L\ISE1 OBEY+ ! OLD LADY'S COMM&1 HAD GONE TO ! RE> ( ! ROOM4 ,! DESIRE TO PLEASE GAVE H] A REALLY MON/R\S LOOK & A DISC\RAG+ ATTITUDE4 ,SC>CELY HAD %E PLAC$ H]SELF 9 ! LI<T1 :5 ! LADY CRI$3 

0,OH6 H[ UGLY Y\ >E1 MY LITTLE ONE60 

,& CALL+ ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& TO WITNESS3 

0,CAN !RE REALLY BE CREATURES ON E>? AS UGLY AS ?IS LITTLE ONE80 

,EV] SOLEMN & DIGNIFI$1 ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& ANSW]$3 

0,UND\BT$LY %E IS NOT A BEAUTY1 BUT ,MADEMOISELLE IS V]Y HONE/40 

0,POSSIBLY10 REPLI$ ! LADY4 0,BUT %E IS TOO UGLY4 ,SU* UGL9ESS IS 9 ! LA/ DEGREE DISAGREEABLE4 ,:AT8 ,:AT DID Y\ SAY80 

,L\ISE HAD NOT UTT]$ A WORD4 ,%E HAD SIMPLY BLU%$ A LITTLE1 & L[]$ H] HEAD4 ,H] DULL EYES W]E SURR\ND$ ) A R$ /REAK4 ,I ?\<T %E WAS GO+ TO CRY4 

0,WELL1 LET US LOOK 9TO ?IS10 RESUM$ ! LADY1 :OSE F+]S AT ?IS MOM5T1 FURI\SLY AGITAT$1 W]E TE>+ ! MAT]IAL ( H] G[N1 ) ! MOVEM5TS ( A CRUEL BEA/4 

,%E QUE/ION$ ,L\ISE REG>D+ H] FAMILY1 H] PREVI\S PLACES1 & H] CAPACITIES = COOK+1 SEW+1 & DO+ H\SEWORK4 ,L\ISE ANSW]$1 0,YES1 9DE$10 OR 0,NO1 9DE$10 HO>SELY & SPASMODICALLY4 ,! EXAM9ATION1 FA/IDI\S1 UNK9D1 CRIM9AL1 LA/$ TW5TY M9UTES4 

0,WELL1 MY LITTLE ONE10 CONCLUD$ ! OLD LADY1 0! CLE>E/ ?+ AB\T Y\ IS ?AT Y\ DO NOT KN[ H[ TO DO ANY?+4 ,I %ALL HAVE TO TEA* Y\ EV]Y?+4 ,= F\R OR FIVE MON?S Y\ WILL BE ( NO USE TO ME4 ,& BESIDES1 SU* UGL9ESS IS NOT PREPOSSESS+4 ,?AT GA% 9 Y\R NOSE8 ,HAVE Y\ RECEIV$ A BL[80 

0,NO1 ,MADAME1 IT HAS ALWAYS BE5 !RE40 

0,WELL1 IT IS NOT V]Y ATTRACTIVE4 ,:AT PAY DO Y\ EXPECT80 

0,?IRTY FRANCS1 WA%+1 & W9E10 DECL>$ ,L\ISE1 RESOLUTELY4 

,! OLD WOMAN />T$4 

0,?IRTY FRANCS6 ,HAVE Y\ NEV]1 !N1 LOOK$ AT Y\RSELF8 ,IT IS S5SELESS6 ,:AT8 ,NOBODY WANTS Y\2 NOBODY WILL EV] WANT Y\4 ,IF ,I TAKE Y\1 IT IS BECAUSE ,I AM K9D1 IT IS BECAUSE ,I REALLY PITY Y\4 ,& Y\ ASK ME ?IRTY FRANCS6 ,WELL1 Y\ HAVE AUDACITY1 MY LITTLE ONE4 ,UND\BT$LY Y\R COMRADES HAVE BE5 GIV+ Y\ BAD ADVICE4 ,Y\ DO WRONG TO LI/5 TO !M40 

0,SURELY10 SAID ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&1 APPROV+LY4 0,:5 !Y GET TOGE!R1 !Y GET V]Y BIG IDEAS40 

0,WELL10 (F]$ ! OLD LADY1 9 A TONE ( CONCILIATION1 0,I WILL GIVE Y\ FIFTE5 FRANCS4 ,& Y\ WILL PAY = Y\R W9E4 ,IT IS TOO MU*4 ,BUT ,I DO NOT WI% TO TAKE ADVANTAGE ( Y\R UGL9ESS & DI/RESS40 

,%E S(T5$4 ,H] VOICE BECAME ALMO/ C>ESS+4 

0,Y\ SEE1 MY LITTLE ONE1 ?IS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY1 SU* AS Y\ WILL NOT F9D AGA94 ,I AM NOT LIKE ! O!RS2 ,I AM ALONE1 ,I HAVE NO FAMILY1 ,I HAVE NO ONE4 ,MY S]VANT IS MY FAMILY4 ,& :AT DO ,I ASK ( MY S]VANT8 ,TO LOVE ME A LITTLE1 ?AT IS ALL4 ,MY S]VANT LIVES ) ME1 EATS ) ME 444 AP>T FROM ! W9E4 ,OH6 ,I AM 9DULG5T TO H]4 ,& !N1 :5 ,I DIE1--= ,I AM V]Y OLD & (T5 SICK1--:5 ,I DIE1 SURELY ,I %ALL NOT =GET ! GIRL :O HAS BE5 DEVOT$ TO ME1 S]V$ ME WELL1 & TAK5 C>E ( ME4 ,Y\ >E UGLY1 V]Y UGLY1 TOO UGLY4 ,WELL1 ,I %ALL GET US$ TO Y\R UGL9ESS1 TO Y\R FACE4 ,!RE >E SOME PRETTY WOM5 :O >E V]Y ILL-DISPOS$1 & :O ROB Y\ BEYOND QUE/ION4 ,UGL9ESS IS SOMETIMES A GU>ANTEE ( MORALITY 9 ! H\SE4 ,( C\RSE1 Y\ WILL BR+ NO M5 TO MY H\SE8 ,Y\ SEE1 ,I KN[ H[ TO DO Y\ JU/ICE4 ,UND] !SE CONDITIONS1 & AS K9D AS ,I AM1 :AT ,I (F] Y\1 MY LITTLE ONE1--:Y1 IT IS A =TUNE2 BETT] ?AN A =TUNE1 IT IS A FAMILY60 

,L\ISE WAS %AK54 ,C]TA9LY1 ! OLD LADY'S WORDS CAUS$ UNKN[N HOPES TO S+ 9 H] HEAD4 ,) H] PEASANT'S RAPACITY1 %E HAD VISIONS ( /RONG-BOXES FILL$ ) GOLD1 & FABUL\S WILLS4 ,& LIFE 9 COMMON1 ) ?IS GOOD MI/RESS1 ! TABLE %>$1 FREQU5T TRIPS TO ! SQU>ES & ! SUBURBAN WOODS1--!SE ?+S SEEM$ M>VEL\S TO H]4 ,& !Y FRI<T5$ H] ALSO1 = D\BTS1 AN UNCONQU]ABLE & NATIVE MI/RU/1 DIMM$ ! BRILLIANCY ( !SE PROMISES4 ,%E KNEW NOT :AT TO SAY OR DO2 %E KNEW NOT :AT C\RSE TO TAKE4 ,I FELT A DESIRE TO CRY \T TO H]3 0,DO NOT ACCEPT40 ,= ,I C\LD SEE ?IS H]MIT-LIKE LIFE1 ! EXHAU/+ TASKS1 ! BITT] REPROA*ES1 ! DISPUT$ FOOD1 & ! /RIPP$ BONES & SPOIL$ MEAT ?R[N TO H] HUNG]1 & ! ET]NAL1 PATI5T1 TORTUR+ EXPLOITATION ( A POOR1 DEF5SELESS BE+4 0,NO1 DO NOT LI/5 TO H]2 GO AWAY60 ,BUT ,I REPRESS$ ?IS CRY1 :I* WAS ON MY LIPS4 

0,COME A LITTLE NE>]1 MY LITTLE ONE10 ORD]$ ! OLD LADY4 0,ONE W\LD ?9K ?AT Y\ W]E AFRAID ( ME4 ,COME1 DO NOT BE AFRAID ( ME2 COME NE>]4 ,H[ CURI\S IT IS6 ,ALREADY Y\ SEEM LESS UGLY4 ,ALREADY ,I AM GETT+ US$ TO Y\R FACE40 

,L\ISE APPROA*$ SL[LY1 ) /IFF5$ MEMB]S1 TRY+ H>D NOT TO RUN AGA9/ ! *AIRS & FURNITURE1 5DEAVOR+ TO WALK ) ELEGANCE1 ! POOR CREATURE6 ,BUT %E HAD SC>CELY PLAC$ H]SELF BESIDE ! OLD LADY1 :5 ! LATT] REPULS$ H] ) A GRIMACE4 

0,MY ,GOD60 %E CRI$1 0:AT IS ! MATT] ) Y\8 ,:Y DO Y\ SMELL SO BAD8 ,IS Y\R BODY ROTT58 ,IT IS FRI<TFUL6 ,IT IS 9CR$IBLE6 ,NEV] DID ANY ONE SMELL AS Y\ SMELL4 ,HAVE Y\1 !N1 A CANC] 9 Y\R NOSE1 OR P]HAPS 9 Y\R /OMA*80 

,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& MADE A NOBLE GE/URE4 

0,I HAD W>N$ Y\1 ,MADAME10 %E SAID4 0,?AT IS H] GREAT FAULT4 ,IT IS ?AT :I* KEEPS H] FROM F9D+ A PLACE40 

,! OLD LADY CONT9U$ TO GROAN4 

0,MY ,GOD6 ,MY ,GOD6 IS IT POSSIBLE8 ,:Y1 Y\ WILL TA9T ! :OLE H\SE2 Y\ CANNOT /AY NE> ME4 ,?IS *ANGES ! CASE 5TIRELY4 ,& :5 ,I WAS BEG9N+ TO FEEL SYMPA?Y = Y\6 ,NO1 NO2 9 SPITE ( ALL MY K9DNESS1 IT IS NOT POSSIBLE1 IT IS NO LONG] POSSIBLE60 

,%E HAD PULL$ \T H] H&K]*IEF1 & WAS TRY+ TO DISSIPATE ! PUTRID AIR1 AS %E REPEAT$3 

0,NO1 REALLY1 IT IS NO LONG] POSSIBLE60 

0,COME1 ,MADAME10 9T]V5$ ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&1 0MAKE AN EF=T4 ,I AM SURE ?AT ?IS UNHAPPY GIRL WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL TO Y\40 

0,GRATEFUL8 ,?AT IS ALL WELL 5\<4 ,BUT GRATITUDE WILL NOT CURE H] ( ?IS FRI<TFUL 9FIRMITY4 ,WELL1 SO BE IT6 ,BUT ,I CAN GIVE H] ONLY T5 FRANCS4 ,T5 FRANCS1 NO MORE6 ,%E CAN TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT40 

,L\ISE1 :O HAD SO F> KEPT BACK H] TE>S1 WAS *OK+4 

0,NO 444 ,I WILL NOT 444 ,I WILL NOT 444 ,I WILL NOT40 

0,LI/51 ,MADEMOISELLE10 SAID ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&1 DRYLY4 0,Y\ WILL ACCEPT ?IS PLACE4 ,IF Y\ DON'T1 ,I WILL NOT UND]TAKE TO GET ANO!R = Y\4 ,Y\ CAN GO & ASK = PLACES AT ! O!R BUREAUS4 ,I HAVE HAD 5\<4 ,& Y\ >E DO+ 9JURY TO MY H\SE40 

0,IT IS EVID5T10 9SI/$ ! OLD LADY4 0,& Y\ \<T TO ?ANK ME = !SE T5 FRANCS4 ,IT IS \T ( PITY1 \T ( *>ITY1 ?AT ,I (F] !M TO Y\4 ,H[ IS IT ?AT Y\ DO NOT SEE ?AT ,I AM DO+ A GOOD WORK1 ( :I* NO D\BT ,I %ALL REP5T1 AS ,I HAVE REP5T$ ( O!RS80 

,!N1 ADDRESS+ ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&1 %E ADD$3 

0,:AT DO Y\ EXPECT8 ,I AM SO CON/ITUT$4 ,I CANNOT BE> TO SEE PEOPLE SUFF]4 ,9 ! PRES5CE ( MIS=TUNE ,I BECOME UTT]LY /UPID4 ,& AT MY AGE ONE DOES NOT *ANGE1 Y\ KN[4 ,COME1 MY LITTLE ONE1 ,I TAKE Y\ ) ME40 

,JU/ !N A SUDD5 CRAMP =C$ ME TO DESC5D FROM MY PO/ ( OBS]VATION4 ,I NEV] SAW ,L\ISE AGA94 

,! NEXT DAY BUT ONE ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& HAD ME C]EMONI\SLY U%]$ 9TO ! BUREAU1 &1 AFT] HAV+ EXAM9$ ME 9 RA!R AN EMB>RASS+ FA%ION1 %E SAID TO ME3 

0,MADEMOISELLE ,CELE/9E1 ,I HAVE A GOOD PLACE = Y\1 A V]Y GOOD PLACE4 ,ONLY Y\ HAVE TO GO 9TO ! C\NTRY1--OH6 NOT V]Y F>40 

0,9TO ! C\NTRY8 ,I DO NOT GO !RE1 Y\ KN[40 

,%E 9SI/$4 

0,Y\ DO NOT KN[ ! C\NTRY4 ,!RE >E EXCELL5T PLACES 9 ! C\NTRY40 

0,OH6 EXCELL5T PLACES6 ,:AT A HUMBUG60 ,I SAID4 0,9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 !RE >E NO GOOD PLACES ANY:]E40 

,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& SMIL$ AMIABLY & AFFECT$LY4 ,NEV] HAD ,I SE5 SU* A SMILE ON H] FACE4 

0,I BEG Y\R P>DON1 ,MADEMOISELLE ,CELE/9E1 !RE >E NO BAD PLACES40 

0,9DE$1 ,I KN[ IT WELL4 ,!RE >E ONLY BAD MA/]S40 

0,NO1 ONLY BAD S]VANTS4 ,SEE1 ,I (F] Y\ ALL ! BE/ H\SES2 IT IS NOT MY FAULT1 IF Y\ DO NOT /AY 9 !M40 

,%E LOOK$ AT ME 9 A WAY ?AT WAS ALMO/ FRI5DLY4 

0,ESPECIALLY AS Y\ >E V]Y 9TELLIG5T4 ,Y\ HAVE A PRETTY FACE1 A PRETTY FIGURE1 *>M+ H&S NOT AT ALL RU9$ BY WORK1 & EYES ?AT >E NOT 9 Y\R POCKETS4 ,GOOD =TUNE MI<T EASILY COME TO Y\4 ,ONE DOES NOT KN[ :AT GOOD =TUNE C\LD COME TO Y\ 444 ) CONDUCT40 

0,) MISCONDUCT1 Y\ MEAN40 

0,?AT DEP5DS ON H[ Y\ LOOK AT IT4 ,= MY P>T1 ,I CALL IT CONDUCT40 

,%E WAS MELT+4 ,LITTLE BY LITTLE1 H] MASK ( DIGNITY FELL4 ,I WAS N[ CONFRONT$ SIMPLY ) ! =M] *AMB]MAID1 EXP]T AT ALL RASCALITIES4 ,N[ %E HAD ! PIGGI% EYE1 ! FAT & FLABBY MOVEM5TS1 ! SORT ( RITUAL LAPP+ ( ! M\? *>ACT]I/IC ( ! PROCURESS1 & :I* ,I HAD OBS]V$ ON ! LIPS ( 0,MADAME ,REBECCA ,RANVET1 ,MILL9]Y40 ,%E REPEAT$3 

0,= MY P>T1 ,I CALL IT CONDUCT40 

0,IT6 ,:AT80 ,I EXCLAIM$4 

0,COME1 ,MADEMOISELLE1 Y\ >E NOT A BEG9N]1 & Y\ >E ACQUA9T$ ) LIFE4 ,ONE CAN TALK ) Y\4 ,IT IS A QUE/ION ( A S+LE G5TLEMAN1 ALREADY OLD1 NOT EXTREMELY F> FROM ,P>IS1 & V]Y RI*1--YES1 9 FACT1 RI* 5\<4 ,Y\ WILL KEEP HIS H\SE1--SOME?+ LIKE A GOV]NESS1 DO Y\ UND]/&8 ,SU* PLACES >E V]Y DELICATE1 MU* 9 DEM&1 & HI<LY PR(ITABLE4 ,?IS ONE (F]S A C]TA9 FUTURE = A WOMAN LIKE Y\1 AS 9TELLIG5T AS Y\ >E1 AS PRETTY AS Y\ >E1--ESPECIALLY1 ,I REPEAT1 ) CONDUCT40 

,?IS WAS MY AMBITION4 ,MANY TIMES ,I HAD BUILT M>VEL\S FUTURES ON AN OLD MAN'S FANCY1 & N[ ?IS P>ADISE ?AT ,I HAD DREAM$ ( WAS BE=E ME1 SMIL+1 CALL+ ME4 ,BY AN 9EXPLICABLE IRONY ( LIFE1 BY AN IMBECILE CONTRADICTION1 ! CAUSE ( :I* ,I CANNOT UND]/&1 ,I SQU>ELY REFUS$ ?IS GOOD =TUNE :I* ,I HAD WI%$ = SO MANY TIMES1 & :I* AT LA/ PRES5T$ ITSELF4 

0,AN OLD RAKE6 ,OH6 NO6 ,BESIDES1 M5 >E TOO DISGU/+ TO ME1--! OLD1 ! Y\NG1 ALL ( !M40 

,= A FEW SECONDS ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& /OOD 9 AMAZEM5T4 ,%E HAD NOT EXPECT$ ?IS SALLY4 ,RESUM+ H] SEV]E & DIGNIFI$ AIR1 :I* PLAC$ SO GREAT A DI/ANCE BETWE5 ! CORRECT B\RGEOISE ?AT %E WI%$ TO BE & ! BOHEMIAN GIRL ?AT ,I AM1 %E SAID3 

0,AH6 ,MADEMOISELLE1 :AT DO Y\ ?9K1 !N8 ,:AT DO Y\ TAKE ME =8 ,:AT >E Y\ IMAG9+80 

0,I IMAG9E NO?+4 ,ONLY ,I REPEAT ?AT ,I HAVE HAD 5\< ( M540 

0,DO Y\ REALLY KN[ ( :OM Y\ >E SPEAK+8 ,?IS G5TLEMAN1 ,MADEMOISELLE1 IS A V]Y RESPECTABLE MAN4 ,HE IS A MEMB] ( ! ,SOCIETY ( ,SA9T-,V9C5T-DE-,PAUL4 ,HE HAS BE5 A ROYALI/ DEPUTY40 

,I BUR/ \T LAU<+4 

0,YES1 YES1 ( C\RSE4 ,I KN[ Y\R ,SA9T-,V9C5T-DE-,PAULS1 & ALL ! DEVIL'S SA9TS1 & ALL ! DEPUTIES4 ,NO1 ?ANK Y\60 

,!N1 SUDD5LY1 )\T TRANSITION1 ,I ASK$3 

0,JU/ :AT IS Y\R OLD MAN8 ,TO BE SURE1 ONE MORE OR LESS WILL MAKE NO DIFF]5CE4 ,IT IS NOT A MATT] ( GREAT CONSEQU5CE1 AFT] ALL40 

,BUT ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& DID NOT UNB5D4 ,%E DECL>$1 9 A FIRM VOICE3 

0,IT IS USELESS1 ,MADEMOISELLE4 ,Y\ >E NOT ! S]I\S WOMAN1 ! TRU/Y P]SON1 ?AT ?IS G5TLEMAN NE$S4 ,I ?\<T Y\ W]E MORE SUITABLE4 ,) Y\1 ONE CANNOT BE SURE ( ANY?+40 

,I 9SI/$ A LONG TIME1 BUT %E WAS 9FLEXIBLE4 ,& ,I W5T BACK TO ! ANTE-ROOM 9 A V]Y UNC]TA9 /ATE ( M9D4 ,OH6 ?AT ANTE-ROOM1 SO SAD & D>K1 ALWAYS ! SAME6 ,!SE GIRLS SPRAWL+ & CRU%$ UPON ! B5*ES1 ?IS M>KET = HUMAN MEAT TO TEMPT B\RGEOIS VORACITY1 ?IS FLUX ( FIL? & ?IS REFLUX ( POV]TY ?AT BR+ Y\ BACK !RE1 M\RNFUL WAIFS1 WRECKAGE FROM ! SEA1 ET]NALLY TOSS$ HI!R & ?I!R4 

0,:AT A QUE] TYPE ,I AM60 ?\<T ,I4 0,I DESIRE ?+S 444 ?+S 444 ?+S 444 :5 ,I ?9K !M UNREALIZABLE1 &1 SO SOON AS !Y PROMISE REALIZATION1 SO SOON AS !Y PRES5T !MSELVES TO ME 9 CLE>] \TL9E1 ,I NO LONG] WANT !M40 

,!RE WAS SOME?+ ( ?IS1 C]TA9LY1 9 MY REFUSAL2 BUT !RE WAS ALSO A *ILDI% DESIRE TO HUMILIATE ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& A LITTLE1 & TO TAKE A SORT ( V5GEANCE UPON H] BY CAT*+ ! CONTEMPTU\S & HAU<TY CREATURE 9 ! V]Y ACT ( CAT]+ TO LU/4 

,I REGRETT$ ?IS OLD MAN1 :O N[ EX]CIS$ OV] ME ALL ! S$UCTIONS ( ! UNKN[N1 ALL ! *>MS ( AN 9ACCESSIBLE IDEAL4 ,& ,I F\ND PLEASURE 9 PICTUR+ HIM TO MY FANCY1--A SPRUCE OLD MAN1 ) S(T H&S1 A PRETTY SMILE1 A P9K & %AV5 FACE1 & GAY1 & G5]\S1 & GOOD-NATUR$1 NOT SO MU* A MANIAC AS ,M4 ,RAB\R1 ALL[+ HIMSELF TO BE L$ BY ME1 LIKE A LITTLE DOG4 

0,COME H]E4 ,COME1 COME H]E40 

,& HE CAME1 C>ESS+1 FRISK+ AB\T1 ) A K9D & SUBMISSIVE LOOK4 

0,N[ SIT UP40 

,& HE SAT UP1 9 SU* A FUNNY WAY1 ) HIS =EPAWS BEAT+ ! AIR4 

0,OH6 ! GOOD B[-W[60 

,I GAVE HIM SUG>2 ,I /ROK$ HIS SILKY SK94 ,HE NO LONG] DISGU/$ ME4 ,& AGA9 ,I REFLECT$3 

0,H[ /UPID ,I AM1 ALL ! SAME6 ,A GOOD DOGGY1 A F9E G>D51 A F9E H\SE1 MONEY1 TRANQUILITY1 AN ASSUR$ FUTURE1--TO ?9K ?AT ,I HAVE REFUS$ ALL !SE1 & )\T KN[+ :Y4 ,& NEV] TO KN[ :AT ,I WANT1 & NEV] TO WILL :AT ,I DESIRE6 ,AT BOTTOM ,I AM AFRAID ( MAN1--WORSE ?AN ?AT1 ,I HAVE A DISGU/ = MAN1--:5 HE IS F> AWAY4 ,:5 HE IS NE> ME1 ,I AM CAPABLE ( ANY?+4 ,I HAVE NO P[] ( RESI/ANCE SAVE AGA9/ ?+S ?AT >E NOT TO HAPP5 & M5 :OM ,I %ALL NEV] KN[4 ,I REALLY BELIEVE ?AT ,I %ALL NEV] BE HAPPY40 

,! ANTE-ROOM WAS OPPRESSIVE TO ME4 ,?IS OBSCURITY1 ?IS DIM LI<T1 !SE SPRAWL+ CREATURES1 MADE MY IDEAS MORE & MORE LUGUBRI\S4 ,SOME?+ HEAVY & IRREM$IABLE HOV]$ OV] ME4 ,)\T WAIT+ = ! BUREAU TO CLOSE1 ,I W5T AWAY1 ) HEAVY HE>T & *OK+ ?ROAT4 ,ON ! /AIRS ,I MET ,M4 ,L\IS4 ,CL++ TO ! BANI/]1 HE WAS ASC5D+ ! /EPS1 SL[LY & PA9FULLY4 ,WE LOOK$ AT EA* O!R = A SECOND4 ,HE DID NOT SAY ANY?+1 & ,I TOO F\ND NO WORD2 BUT \R LOOKS SAID ALL4 ,AH6 HE1 AS WELL AS ,I1 WAS NOT HAPPY4 ,I LI/5$ TO HIM A MOM5T1 AS HE W5T UP ! /EPS2 !N ,I PLUNG$ D[N ! /AIRWAY4 ,POOR LITTLE WRET*6 

,9 ! /REET ,I /OOD = A MOM5T AS IF /UNN$4 ,I LOOK$ AB\T = LOVE'S RECRUIT+-AG5TS1 = ! R\ND BACK & BLACK CO/UME ( 0,MME4 ,REBECCA ,RANVET1 ,MILL9]Y40 ,AH6 IF ,I HAD SE5 H]1 ,I W\LD HAVE GONE TO H]1 ,I W\LD HAVE DELIV]$ MYSELF TO H]4 ,BUT !RE WAS NO SU* P]SON !RE4 ,! PEOPLE PASS+ W]E BUSY & 9DIFF]5T1 & PAID NO ATT5TION TO MY DI/RESS4 ,!N ,I /OPP$ AT A W9E-%OP1 :]E ,I B\<T A BOTTLE ( BR&Y1 &1 AFT] /ROLL+ AB\T = A :ILE1 /ILL /UPID & ) HEAVY HEAD1 ,I W5T BACK TO MY HOTEL4 

,T[>D EV5+1 LATE1 ,I HE>D A KNOCK AT MY DOOR4 ,I LAY /RET*$ UPON MY B$1 HALF NAK$1 /UPEFI$ BY DR9K4 

0,:O IS !RE80 ,I CRI$4 

0,IT IS ,I40 

0,:O >E Y\80 

0,! WAIT]40 

,I ROSE1 ) MY LOOS5$ HAIR FALL+ FROM MY %\LD]S1 & OP5$ ! DOOR4 

0,:AT DO Y\ WANT80 

,! WAIT] SMIL$4 ,HE WAS A TALL FELL[ ) R$ HAIR1 :OM ,I HAD MET SEV]AL TIMES ON ! /AIRS1 & :O ALWAYS LOOK$ AT ME /RANGELY4 

0,:AT DO Y\ WANT80 ,I REPEAT$4 

,! WAIT] SMIL$ AGA91 APP>5TLY EMB>RASS$1 &1 ROLL+ 9 HIS FAT F+]S ! BOTTOM ( HIS BLUE APRON1 COV]$ ) GREASE SPOTS1 HE /AMM]$3 

0,MAM'ZELLE 444 ,I44440 

,HE SURVEY$ MY P]SON ) A SORT ( DISMAL DESIRE4 

0,WELL1 COME 91 Y\ BRUTE10 ,I CRI$1 SUDD5LY4 

,& PU%+ HIM 9TO MY ROOM1 ,I CLOS$ ! DOOR AGA91 VIOL5TLY4 

,OH6 MIS]Y ME6 

,! WAIT] WAS DIS*>G$4 ,I NEV] KNEW HIS NAME6 

,I %\LD NOT LIKE TO LEAVE ! SUBJECT ( ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&'S EMPLOYM5T-BUREAU1 )\T GIV+ MY RECOLLECTION ( A POOR DEVIL :OM ,I MET !RE4 ,HE WAS A G>D5]1 :O HAD BE5 A WID[] = F\R MON?S1 & :O WAS LOOK+ = A PLACE4 ,AMONG ! MANY LAM5TABLE FACES ?AT PASS$ ?R\< ! BUREAU ,I SAW NONE AS SAD AS HIS1 NONE ?AT SEEM$ TO ME MORE OV]:ELM$ BY LIFE4 ,HIS WIFE HAD DI$ ( A MISC>RIAGE 444 ( A MISC>RIAGE8444 ! NI<T BE=E ! DAY :51 AFT] TWO MON?S ( POV]TY1 !Y W]E AT LA/ TO TAKE POSITIONS ON AN E/ATE1--HE 9 *>GE ( ! G>D51 %E 9 *>GE ( ! B>N-Y>D4 ,:E!R FROM ILL-LUCK1 OR FROM WE>9ESS & FROM DISGU/ ( LIFE1 HE HAD F\ND NO?+ S9CE ?IS GREAT MIS=TUNE2 HE HAD NOT EV5 LOOK$ = ANY?+4 ,& DUR+ ?IS P]IOD ( IDL5ESS HIS LITTLE SAV+S HAD QUICKLY MELT$ AWAY4 ,AL?\< HE WAS V]Y SUSPICI\S1 ,I SUCCE$$ 9 TAM+ HIM A LITTLE4 ,I PUT 9TO ! =M ( AN IMP]SONAL N>RATIVE ! SIMPLE & POIGNANT TRAG$Y ?AT HE RELAT$ TO ME ONE DAY :5 ,I1 GREATLY MOV$ BY HIS MIS=TUNE1 HAD %[N MORE 9T]E/ & PITY ?AN USUAL4 ,H]E IT IS4 

,:5 !Y HAD EXAM9$ ! G>D5S1 ! T]RACES1 ! CONS]VATORIES1 & ! G>D5]'S H\SE AT ! P>K 5TRANCE1 SUMPTU\SLY CLO!D ) IVIES1 CLIMB+ PLANTS1 & WILD V9ES1 !Y CAME BACK SL[LY1 )\T SPEAK+ TO EA* O!R1 !IR S\LS 9 ANGUI% & SUSP5SE1 T[>D ! LAWN :]E ! C\NTESS WAS FOLL[+ ) A LOV+ GAZE H] ?REE *ILDR51 :O1 ) !IR LI<T HAIR1 !IR BRI<T TR9KETS1 & !IR P9K & PROSP]\S FLE%1 W]E PLAY+ 9 ! GRASS1 UND] ! C>E ( ! GOV]NESS4 ,AT A DI/ANCE ( TW5TY /EPS !Y HALT$ RESPECTFULLY1 ! MAN ) UNCOV]$ HEAD & HOLD+ HIS CAP 9 HIS H&1 ! WOMAN1 TIMID UND] H] BLACK /RAW HAT1 EMB>RASS$ 9 H] D>K WOOL5 SACK1 & TWI/+ ! *A9 ( A LITTLE LEA!R BAG1 TO GIVE H]SELF CONFID5CE4 ,! UNDULAT+ GRE5SW>D ( ! P>K ROLL$ AWAY 9 ! DI/ANCE1 BETWE5 ?ICK CLU/]S ( TREES4 

0,COME NE>]10 SAID ! C\NTESS1 9 A VOICE ( K9D 5C\RAGEM5T4 

,! MAN HAD A BR[N FACE1 SK9 TANN$ BY ! SUN1 L>GE KNOTTY H&S ( ! COLOR ( E>?1 ! TIPS ( ! F+]S DE=M$ & POLI%$ BY ! CONT9UAL H&L+ ( TOOLS4 ,! WOMAN WAS A LITTLE PALE1 ) A GRAY PALLOR UND]LY+ ! FRECKLES ?AT BESPR9KL$ H] FACE1--A LITTLE AWKW>D1 TOO1 & V]Y CLEAN4 ,%E DID NOT D>E TO LIFT H] EYES TO ?IS F9E LADY1 :O WAS AB\T TO EXAM9E H] 9CONSID]ATELY1 OV]:ELM H] ) TORTUR+ QUE/IONS1 & TURN H] 9SIDE \T1 BODY & S\L1 AS O!RS HAD DONE BE=E4 ,& %E LOOK$ 9T5TLY AT ! PRETTY PICTURE ( ! ?REE BABIES PLAY+ 9 ! GRASS1 ALREADY %[+ MANN]S WELL UND] CONTROL & /UDI$ GRACES4 

,!Y ADVANC$ A FEW /EPS1 SL[LY1 & BO? ( !M1 ) A ME*ANICAL & SIMULTANE\S MOVEM5T1 FOLD$ !IR H&S OV] !IR /OMA*S4 

0,WELL10 ASK$ ! C\NTESS1 0Y\ HAVE SE5 EV]Y?+80 

0,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS IS V]Y GOOD10 ANSW]$ ! MAN4 0,IT IS V]Y GR& & V]Y BEAUTIFUL4 ,OH6 IT IS A SUP]B E/ATE4 ,!RE MU/ BE PL5TY ( WORK1 9DE$60 

0,& ,I AM V]Y EXACT+1 ,I W>N Y\1--V]Y JU/1 BUT V]Y EXACT+4 ,I LOVE TO HAVE EV]Y?+ P]FECTLY KEPT4 ,& FL[]S1 FL[]S1 FL[]S1 ALWAYS & EV]Y:]E4 ,H[EV]1 Y\ HAVE TWO ASSI/ANTS 9 SUMM]1 & ONE 9 W9T]4 ,?AT IS SUFFICI5T40 

0,OH60 REPLI$ ! MAN1 0! WORK DOES NOT WORRY ME2 ! MORE !RE IS1 ! BETT] ,I LIKE IT4 ,I LOVE MY CALL+1 & ,I KN[ IT ?OR\<LY1--TREES1 E>LY VEGETABLES1 MOSAICS1 & EV]Y?+4 ,AS = FL[]S1 ) GOOD >MS1 TA/E1 WAT]1 GOOD /RAW COV]+S1 &--SAV+ Y\R PRES5CE1 ,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS--AN ABUNDANCE ( MANURE1 ONE CAN HAVE AS MANY AS ONE WANTS40 

,AFT] A PAUSE1 HE CONT9U$3 

0,MY WIFE1 TOO1 IS V]Y ACTIVE1 V]Y SKILLFUL1 & A GOOD MANAG]4 ,%E DOES NOT LOOK /RONG1 BUT %E IS C\RAGE\S1 & NEV] SICK1 & NOBODY UND]/&S ANIMALS AS %E DOES4 ,9 ! PLACE :]E WE LA/ WORK$ !RE W]E ?REE C[S & TWO HUNDR$ H5S40 

,! C\NTESS NODD$ APPROV+LY4 

0,H[ DO Y\ LIKE Y\R LODGE80 

0,! LODGE1 TOO1 IS V]Y F9E4 ,IT IS ALMO/ TOO GR& = LITTLE PEOPLE LIKE US1 & WE HAVE NOT 5\< FURNITURE = IT4 ,BUT ONE NE$ NOT OCCUPY ! :OLE ( IT4 ,& BESIDES1 IT IS F> FROM ! *ATEAU1 & IT \<T TO BE4 ,MA/]S DO NOT LIKE TO HAVE ! G>D5]S TOO NE> !M4 ,& WE1 ON ! O!R H&1 >E AFRAID ( BE+ EMB>RASS$4 ,H]E EA* IS BY HIMSELF4 ,?AT IS BETT] = ALL4 ,ONLY44440 

,! MAN HESITAT$1 SEIZ$ ) A SUDD5 TIMIDITY1 9 VIEW ( :AT HE HAD TO SAY4 

0,ONLY :AT80 ASK$ ! C\NTESS1 AFT] A SIL5CE ?AT 9CREAS$ ! MAN'S EMB>RASSM5T4 

,! LATT] GRIPP$ HIS CAP MORE TI<TLY1 TURN$ IT 9 HIS FAT F+]S1 RE/$ MORE HEAVILY ON ! GR\ND1 &1 MAK+ A BOLD PLUNGE1 EXCLAIM$3 

0,WELL1 IT IS ?IS4 ,I WANT$ TO SAY TO ,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS ?AT ! WAGES DO NOT CORRESPOND ) ! PLACE4 ,!Y >E TOO L[4 ,) ! BE/ WILL 9 ! WORLD IT W\LD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE 5DS MEET4 ,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS \<T TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE40 

0,Y\ =GET1 MY FRI5D1 ?AT Y\ >E LODG$1 HEAT$1 LI<T$2 ?AT Y\ HAVE VEGETABLES & FRUITS2 ?AT ,I GIVE A DOZ5 EGGS A WEEK & A QU>T ( MILK A DAY4 ,IT IS 5ORM\S40 

0,AH1 ,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS GIVES MILK & EGGS8 ,& %E FURNI%ES LI<T80 

,& HE LOOK$ AT HIS WIFE AS IF TO ASK H] ADVICE1 AT ! SAME TIME MURMUR+3 

0,9DE$1 ?AT IS SOME?+6 ,ONE CANNOT D5Y IT4 ,?AT IS NOT BAD40 

,! WOMAN /AMM]$3 

0,SURELY ?AT HELPS \T A LITTLE40 

,!N1 TREMBL+ & EMB>RASS$3 

0,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS NO D\BT GIVES PRES5TS ALSO 9 ! MON? ( ,JANU>Y & ON ,SA9T ,FIACRE'S DAY80 

0,NO1 NO?+40 

0,IT IS ! CU/OM1 H[EV]40 

0,IT IS NOT M9E40 

,9 HIS TURN ! MAN ASK$3 

0,& = ! WEASELS & POLE-CATS80 

0,NO1 NO?+ = ?OSE EI!R2 Y\ CAN HAVE ! SK9S40 

,?IS WAS SAID 9 A DRY1 DECISIVE TONE1 ?AT =BADE FUR!R DISCUSSION4 ,& SUDD5LY3 

0,AH6 ,I W>N Y\1 ONCE = ALL1 ?AT ,I =BID ! G>D5] TO SELL OR GIVE VEGETABLES TO ANY ONE :OMSOEV]4 ,I KN[ V]Y WELL ?AT IT IS NECESS>Y TO RAISE TOO MANY 9 ORD] TO HAVE 5\<1 & ?AT ?REE-F\R?S ( !M >E WA/$4 ,SO MU* ! WORSE6 ,I 9T5D TO ALL[ !M TO BE WA/$40 

0,( C\RSE1 ! SAME AS EV]Y:]E ELSE60 

0,SO IT IS AGRE$8 ,H[ LONG HAVE Y\ BE5 M>RI$80 

0,SIX YE>S10 ANSW]$ ! WOMAN4 

0,Y\ HAVE NO *ILDR580 

0,WE HAD A LITTLE GIRL4 ,%E IS DEAD40 

0,AH6 ?AT IS WELL2 ?AT IS V]Y WELL10 APPROV$ ! C\NTESS1 9 AN 9DIFF]5T TONE4 0,BUT Y\ >E BO? Y\NG2 Y\ MAY HAVE O!RS YET40 

0,!Y >E H>DLY TO BE DESIR$1 ,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS1 BUT !Y >E MORE EASILY OBTA9$ ?AN AN 9COME ( ?REE HUNDR$ FRANCS40 

,! C\NTESS'S EYES TOOK ON A SEV]E EXPRESSION4 

0,I MU/ FUR!R W>N Y\ ?AT ,I WILL HAVE NO *ILDR5 ON ! PREMISES1 ABSOLUTELY NONE4 ,IF Y\ W]E TO HAVE ANO!R *ILD1 ,I %\LD BE OBLIG$ TO DIS*>GE Y\ AT ONCE4 ,OH6 NO *ILDR56 ,!Y CRY1 !Y >E 9 ! WAY1 !Y RU9 EV]Y?+1 !Y FRI<T5 ! HORSES & SPREAD DISEASES4 ,NO1 NO1 NOT = ANY?+ 9 ! WORLD W\LD ,I TOL]ATE A *ILD ON MY PREMISES4 ,SO Y\ >E W>N$4 ,GOV]N Y\RSELVES ACCORD+LY2 TAKE Y\R PRECAUTIONS40 

,JU/ !N ONE ( ! *ILDR51 :O HAD FALL51 CAME1 CRY+1 TO TAKE REFUGE 9 HIS MO!R'S G[N4 ,%E TOOK HIM 9 H] >MS1 LULL$ HIM ) SOO?+ WORDS1 C>ESS$ HIM1 KISS$ HIM T5D]LY1 & S5T HIM BACK TO REJO9 ! TWO O!RS1 PACIFI$ & SMIL+4 ,! WOMAN SUDD5LY FELT H] HE>T GR[+ HEAVY4 ,%E ?\<T ?AT %E W\LD NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP BACK H] TE>S4 ,JOY1 T5D]NESS1 LOVE1 MO!RHOOD1 !N1 W]E = ! RI* ONLY8 ,! *ILDR5 HAD BEGUN TO PLAY AGA9 ON ! LAWN4 ,%E HAT$ !M ) A SAVAGE HATR$2 %E FELT A DESIRE TO 9SULT !M1 TO BEAT !M1 TO KILL !M2 TO 9SULT & KILL ALSO ?IS 9SOL5T & CRUEL WOMAN1 ?IS EGOI/IC MO!R1 :O HAD JU/ UTT]$ ABOM9ABLE WORDS1 WORDS ?AT CONDEMN$ NOT TO BE BORN ! FUTURE HUMANITY ?AT LAY SLEEP+ 9 H] WOMB4 ,BUT %E RE/RA9$ H]SELF1 & SAID SIMPLY1 9 RESPONSE TO A NEW W>N+1 MORE IMP]ATIVE ?AN ! O!R3 

0,WE WILL BE C>EFUL1 ,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS2 WE WILL TRY40 

0,?AT'S RI<T2 = ,I CANNOT TOO (T5 REPEAT IT TO Y\1--?IS IS A PR9CIPLE H]E1 A PR9CIPLE UPON :I* ,I CANNOT COMPROMISE40 

,& %E ADD$1 ) AN 9FLECTION 9 H] VOICE ?AT WAS ALMO/ C>ESS+3 

0,MOREOV]1 BELIEVE ME1 :5 ONE IS NOT RI*1 IT IS BETT] TO HAVE NO *ILDR540 

,! MAN1 TO PLEASE HIS FUTURE MI/RESS1 SAID1 BY WAY ( CONCLUSION3 

0,SURELY1 SURELY4 ,MADAME ! ,C\NTESS SPEAKS TRULY40 

,BUT !RE WAS HATR$ )9 HIM4 ,! SOMB] & FI]CE GLEAM ?AT PASS$ OV] HIS EYES LIKE A FLA% GAVE ! LIE TO ! =C$ S]VILITY ( !SE LA/ WORDS4 ,! C\NTESS DID NOT SEE ?IS MURD]\S GLEAM1 = %E HAD FIX$ H] EYES 9/9CTIVELY ON ! P]SON ( ! WOMAN :OM %E HAD JU/ CONDEMN$ TO /]ILITY OR 9FANTICIDE4 

,! B>GA9 WAS QUICKLY CONCLUD$4 ,%E GAVE H] ORD]S1 DETAIL$ M9UTELY ! S]VICES ?AT %E EXPECT$ ( H] NEW G>D5]S1 &1 AS %E DISMISS$ !M ) A HAU<TY SMILE1 %E SAID1 9 A TONE ?AT ADMITT$ ( NO REPLY3 

0,I ?9K ?AT Y\ HAVE RELIGI\S S5TIM5TS1 DO Y\ NOT8 ,H]E EV]YBODY GOES TO MASS ON ,SUNDAY1 & RECEIVES ! SACRAM5T AT ,EA/]4 ,I 9SI/ UPON IT ABSOLUTELY40 

,!Y W5T AWAY )\T SPEAK+ TO EA* O!R1 V]Y S]I\S1 V]Y SOB]4 ,! ROAD WAS DU/Y & ! HEAT OPPRESSIVE1 & ! POOR WOMAN WALK$ PA9FULLY1 DRAGG+ H] LEGS AFT] H]4 ,AS %E WAS /IFL+ A LITTLE1 %E /OPP$1 PLAC$ H] BAG UPON ! GR\ND1 & UNLAC$ H] CORSETS4 

0,\F60 %E EXCLAIM$1 TAK+ 9 DEEP BREA?S ( AIR4 

,& H] FIGURE1 :I* HAD BE5 LONG COMPRESS$1 N[ SWELL$ \T1 REVEAL+ ! *>ACT]I/IC R\NDNESS1 ! /A9 ( MO!RHOOD1 ! CRIME4 ,!Y CONT9U$ ON !IR WAY4 

,A FEW /EPS FUR!R ON !Y 5T]$ AN 9N BY ! ROADSIDE1 & ORD]$ A QU>T ( W9E4 

0,:Y DIDN'T Y\ SAY ,I WAS PREGNANT80 ASK$ ! WOMAN4 

,! MAN ANSW]$3 

0,:AT8 ,?AT %E MI<T %[ US ! DOOR1 AS ! ?REE O!RS HAVE DONE80 

0,TO-DAY OR TO-MORR[ MAKES BUT LITTLE DIFF]5CE40 

,!N ! MAN MURMUR$ BETWE5 HIS TEE?3 

0,IF Y\ W]E A WOMAN1--WELL1 Y\ W\LD GO ?IS V]Y EV5+ TO ,MO!R ,HURLOT4 ,%E HAS H]BS40 

,BUT ! WOMAN BEGAN TO WEEP4 ,& 9 H] TE>S %E GROAN$3 

0,DON'T SAY ?AT2 DON'T SAY ?AT6 ,?AT BR+S BAD LUCK40 

,! MAN P\ND$ ! TABLE1 & CRI$3 

0,MU/ WE1 !N1 DIE1 MY ,GOD60 

,! BAD LUCK CAME4 ,F\R DAYS LAT] ! WOMAN HAD A MISC>RIAGE 444 A MISC>RIAGE8444 & DI$ 9 ! FRI<TFUL PA9S ( P]ITONITIS4 

,&1 :5 ! MAN HAD F9I%$ HIS /ORY1 HE SAID TO ME3 

0,SO N[ H]E ,I AM1 ALL ALONE4 ,NO WIFE1 NO *ILD1 NO?+4 ,I REALLY ?\<T ( REV5G+ MYSELF2 YES1 = A LONG TIME ,I ?\<T ( KILL+ ?OSE ?REE *ILDR5 ?AT W]E PLAY+ ON ! LAWN1 AL?\< ,I AM NOT WICK$1 ,I ASSURE Y\4 ,BUT ?AT WOMAN'S ?REE *ILDR51 ,I SWE> TO Y\1 ,I C\LD HAVE /RANGL$ ) JOY1 ) REAL JOY6 ,OH6 YES4 ,BUT !N1 ,I DID NOT D>E4 ,:AT DO Y\ EXPECT8 ,WE >E AFRAID2 WE >E C[>DS2 WE HAVE C\RAGE ONLY TO SUFF]60 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahii 3 ,*APT] #ae -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JANU>Y #i1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #ae -- ,ADD$4 

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