,*APT] #d 
,SEPTEMB] #bf 

#aiai 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,OCTAVE ,MIRBEAU 

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

,TEXT 3 

,= A WEEK ,I HAVE BE5 UNABLE TO WRITE A S+LE L9E 9 MY DI>Y4 ,:5 IT COMES NI<T1 ,I AM TIR$1 EXHAU/$1 AT ! 5D ( MY /R5G?4 ,I ?9K ( NO?+ BUT GO+ TO B$ & TO SLEEP4 ,TO SLEEP6 ,IF ,I C\LD ALWAYS SLEEP6 

,OH6 :AT A %ABBY PLACE1 ,MY ,GOD6 ,Y\ CAN HAVE NO IDEA ( IT6 

,= A YES1 = A NO1 ,MADAME MAKES Y\ RUN UP & D[N ! TWO CURS$ FLI<TS ( /AIRS4 ,ONE HAS NOT EV5 TIME TO SIT D[N 9 ! L95-ROOM & BREA! A LITTLE1 :5 444 DR9N6444 DR9N6444 DR9N6444 ONE HAS TO GET UP & />T AGA94 ,IT MAKES NO DIFF]5CE IF ONE IS NOT FEEL+ WELL1 DR9N6444 DR9N6444 DR9N6 ,9 !SE DAYS ,I HAVE PA9S 9 MY LO9S ?AT B5D ME 9 TWO1 & GRIPE MY /OMA*1 & ALMO/ MAKE ME CRY \T4 ,?AT CUTS NO FIGURE2 DR9N6444 DR9N6444 DR9N6444 ,ONE HAS NO TIME TO BE SICK2 ONE HAS NOT ! RI<T TO SUFF]4 ,SUFF]+ IS A MA/]'S LUXURY4 ,WE1 WE MU/ WALK1 & FA/1 & =EV]2 WALK AT ! RISK ( FALL+4 ,DR9N6444 DR9N6444 DR9N6444 ,& IF ONE IS A LITTLE SL[ 9 COM+ AT ! S\ND ( ! BELL1 !N !RE >E REPROA*ES & ANGRY SC5ES4 

0,WELL1 :AT >E Y\ AB\T8 ,Y\ DO NOT HE>1 !N8 ,>E Y\ DEAF8 ,I HAVE BE5 R++ = ?REE H\RS4 ,IT IS GETT+ TO BE V]Y PROVOK+40 

,& ?IS IS :AT G5]ALLY HAPP5S4 

0,DR9N6444 DR9N6444 DR9N64440 

,?AT ?R[S Y\ FROM Y\R *AIR1 AS IF IMPELL$ BY A SPR+4 

0,BR+ ME A NE$LE40 

,I GO = ! NE$LE4 

0,ALL RI<T6 ,BR+ ME SOME ?READ40 

,I GO = ! ?READ4 

0,V]Y GOOD6 ,BR+ ME A BUTTON40 

,I GO = ! BUTTON4 

0,:AT IS ?IS BUTTON8 ,I DID NOT ASK = ?IS BUTTON4 ,Y\ NEV] UND]/& ANY?+4 ,A :ITE BUTTON1 NUMB] F\R4 ,& BE QUICK AB\T IT40 

,& ,I GO = ! :ITE BUTTON1 NUMB] F\R4 

,Y\ CAN IMAG9E H[ ,I /ORM1 & RAGE1 & ABUSE ,MADAME1 )9 MYSELF4 ,DUR+ !SE GO+S & COM+S1 !SE ASC5TS & DESC5TS1 ,MADAME HAS *ANG$ H] M9D4 ,%E WANTS SOME?+ ELSE1 OR %E WANTS NO?+ AT ALL4 

0,NO1 TAKE AWAY ! NE$LE & ! BUTTON4 ,I HAVE NO TIME40 

,MY BACK IS BROK51 MY KNEES ABSOLUTELY /IFF1 ,I CAN DO NO MORE4 ,?AT SUFFICES = ,MADAME2 %E IS SATISFI$4 ,& TO ?9K ?AT !RE IS A SOCIETY = ! PROTECTION ( ANIMALS6 

,9 ! EV5+1 :5 MAK+ H] EXAM9ATION ( ! L95-ROOM1 %E /ORMS3 

0,:AT6 Y\ HAVE DONE NO?+8 ,:AT DO Y\ DO ALL DAY LONG1 !N8 ,I DO NOT PAY Y\ TO BE IDLE FROM MORN+ TILL NI<T40 

,I REPLY RA!R CURTLY1 = ?IS 9JU/ICE FILLS ME ) REBELLION3 

0,:Y1 ,MADAME HAS BE5 9T]RUPT+ ME ALL DAY40 

0,I HAVE BE5 9T]RUPT+ Y\1 ,I8 ,9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 ,I =BID Y\ TO ANSW] ME4 ,I WANT NO REM>KS1 DO Y\ UND]/&8 ,I KN[ :AT ,I AM TALK+ AB\T40 

,& %E GOES AWAY1 SLAMM+ ! DOOR1 & GRUMBL+ AS IF %E W\LD NEV] /OP4 ,9 ! CORRIDORS1 9 ! KIT*51 9 ! G>D51 H] %RILL VOICE CAN BE HE>D = H\RS4 ,OH6 H[ TIRESOME %E IS6 

,REALLY ONE KN[S NOT H[ TO TAKE H]4 ,:AT CAN %E HAVE 9 H] BODY ?AT KEEPS H] ALWAYS 9 SU* A /ATE ( IRRITATION8 ,& H[ QUICKLY ,I W\LD DROP H]1 IF ,I W]E SURE ( F9D+ A PLACE DIRECTLY6 

,JU/ N[ ,I WAS SUFF]+ EV5 MORE ?AN USUAL4 ,I FELT SO %>P A PA9 ?AT IT SEEM$ AS IF A BEA/ W]E TE>+ ! 9T]IOR ( MY BODY ) ITS TEE? & CLAWS4 ,ALREADY1 9 ! MORN+1 ON RIS+1 ,I HAD FA9T$ BECAUSE ( LOSS ( BLOOD4 ,H[ HAVE ,I HAD ! C\RAGE TO KEEP UP1 & DRAG MYSELF AB\T1 & DO MY WORK8 ,I DO NOT KN[4 ,OCCASIONALLY1 ON ! /AIRS1 ,I WAS OBLIG$ TO /OP1 & CL+ TO ! BANI/]1 9 ORD] TO GET MY BREA? & KEEP FROM FALL+4 ,I WAS GRE51 ) COLD SWEATS ?AT WET MY HAIR4 ,IT WAS 5\< TO MAKE ONE SCREAM1 BUT ,I AM GOOD AT BE>+ PA91 & IT IS A MATT] ( PRIDE ) ME NEV] TO COMPLA9 9 PRES5CE ( MY MA/]S4 ,MADAME SURPRIS$ ME AT A MOM5T :5 ,I ?\<T ?AT ,I WAS AB\T TO FA9T4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS REVOLV+ AB\T ME1--! BANI/]1 ! /AIRS1 & ! WALLS4 

0,:AT IS ! MATT] ) Y\80 %E SAID TO ME1 RUDELY4 

0,NO?+40 

,& ,I TRI$ TO /RAI<T5 UP4 

0,IF !RE IS NO?+ ! MATT] ) Y\10 REJO9$ ,MADAME1 0:Y !SE MANN]S8 ,I DO NOT LIKE TO SEE FUN]EAL FACES4 ,Y\ HAVE A V]Y DISAGREEABLE WAY ( DO+ Y\R WORK40 

,9 SPITE ( MY PA91 ,I C\LD HAVE BOX$ H] E>S4 

,AMID !SE TRIALS1 ,I AM ALWAYS ?9K+ ( MY =M] PLACES4 ,TO-DAY IT IS MY PLACE 9 ! ,RUE ,L9COLN ?AT ,I MO/ REGRET4 ,!RE ,I WAS SECOND *AMB]MAID1 & HAD1 SO TO SPEAK1 NO?+ TO DO4 ,WE PASS$ ! DAY 9 ! L95-ROOM1 A MAGNIFIC5T L95-ROOM1 ) A R$ FELT C>PET1 & L9$ FROM CEIL+ TO FLOOR ) GREAT MAHOGANY CUPBO>DS1 ) GILD$ LOCKS4 ,& WE LAU<$1 & WE AMUS$ \RSELVES 9 TALK+ NONS5SE1 9 READ+1 9 MIMICK+ ,MADAME'S RECEPTIONS1 ALL UND] ! EYE ( AN ,5GLI% GOV]NESS1 :O MADE TEA = US1--! GOOD TEA ?AT ,MADAME B\<T 9 ,5GL& = H] LITTLE MORN+ BREAKFA/S4 ,SOMETIMES1 FROM ! S]VANTS' HALL1 ! BUTL]--ONE :O WAS UP TO DATE--BR\<T US CAKES1 CAVI> ON TOA/1 SLICES ( HAM1 & A HEAP ( GOOD ?+S4 

,I REMEMB] ?AT ONE AFT]NOON !Y OBLIG$ ME TO PUT ON A V]Y SWELL CO/UME BELONG+ TO ,MONSIEUR1--TO ,COCO1 AS WE CALL$ HIM AMONG \RSELVES4 ,NATURALLY WE PLAY$ AT ALL SORTS ( RISQUES GAMES2 WE EV5 W5T V]Y F> 9 \R FUN-MAK+4 

,AH6 ?AT WAS A PLACE6 

,I AM BEG9N+ TO KN[ ,MONSIEUR WELL4 ,!Y W]E RI<T 9 SAY+ ?AT HE IS AN EXCELL5T & G5]\S MAN1 =1 IF HE W]E NOT1 !RE W\LD NOT BE 9 ! WORLD A WORSE RASCAL1 A MORE P]FECT %>P]4 ,! NE$1 ! PASSION ?AT HE FEELS = BE+ *>ITABLE1 IMPEL HIM TO DO ?+S ?AT >E NOT V]Y ADMIRABLE4 ,HIS 9T5TION IS PRAISEWOR?Y1 BUT ! RESULT UPON O!RS IS (T5 DISA/R\S1 ALL ! SAME4 ,IT MU/ BE CONFESS$ ?AT HIS K9DNESS HAS BE5 ! CAUSE ( DIRTY LITTLE TRICKS1 LIKE ! FOLL[+3 

,LA/ ,TUESDAY A V]Y SIMPLE OLD MAN1 FA!R ,PANTOIS1 BR\<T SOME SWEET-BRI]S ?AT ,MONSIEUR HAD ORD]$1--( C\RSE )\T ,MADAME'S KN[L$GE4 ,IT WAS T[>D ! 5D ( ! DAY4 ,I HAD COME D[N = SOME HOT WAT] = A BELAT$ BA?4 ,MADAME1 :O HAD GONE TO T[N1 HAD NOT YET RETURN$4 ,& ,I WAS *ATT]+ 9 ! KIT*5 ) ,M>IANNE1 :5 ,MONSIEUR1 CORDIAL1 JOY\S1 UNRES]V$1 & NOISY1 BR\<T 9 FA!R ,PANTOIS4 ,HE IMM$IATELY HAD HIM S]V$ ) BREAD1 *EESE1 & CID]4 ,& !N HE BEGAN TO TALK ) HIM4 

,! GOOD MAN EXCIT$ MY PITY1 SO WORN1 ?91 & DIRTILY CLAD WAS HE4 ,HIS PANTALOONS W]E 9 RAGS2 HIS CAP WAS A MASS ( FIL?4 ,& HIS OP5 %IRT REVEAL$ A P>T ( HIS B>E BREA/1 *APP$1 CRIMP$1 SEASON$ LIKE OLD LEA!R4 ,HE ATE GRE$ILY4 

0,WELL1 FA!R ,PANTOIS10 CRI$ ,MONSIEUR1 RUBB+ HIS H&S1 0?AT GOES BETT]1 EH80 

,! OLD MAN1 ) HIS M\? FULL1 ?ANK$ HIM4 

0,Y\ >E V]Y GOOD1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE4 ,BECAUSE1 Y\ SEE1 S9CE ?IS MORN+1 AT F\R O'CLOCK1 :5 ,I LEFT HOME1 ,I HAVE PUT NO?+ 9 MY /OMA*1--NO?+ AT ALL40 

0,WELL1 EAT AWAY1 FA!R ,PANTOIS4 ,REGALE Y\RSELF1 :ILE Y\ >E AB\T IT40 

0,Y\ >E V]Y GOOD1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE4 ,PRAY EXCUSE ME40 

,! OLD MAN CUT (F 5ORM\S PIECES ( BREAD1 :I* HE WAS A LONG TIME 9 *EW+1 = HE HAD NO TEE? LEFT4 ,:5 HE WAS P>TIALLY SATISFI$1 ,MONSIEUR ASK$ HIM3 

0,& ! SWEET-BRI]S1 FA!R ,PANTOIS8 ,!Y >E F9E ?IS YE>1 EH80 

0,!RE >E SOME ?AT >E F9E2 !RE >E SOME ?AT >E NOT SO F9E2 !RE >E ALMO/ ALL SORTS1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE4 ,9DE$1 ONE CAN SC>CELY *OOSE4 ,& !Y >E H>D TO PULL UP1 Y\ CAN BELIEVE4 ,& BESIDES1 ,MONSIEUR ,PORCELLET WILL NOT LET US TAKE !M FROM HIS WOODS ANY MORE4 ,WE HAVE TO GO A LONG WAY N[ TO F9D !M1 A V]Y LONG WAY4 ,IF ,I W]E TO TELL Y\ ?AT ,I COME FROM ! =E/ ( ,RAILLON1--MORE ?AN ?REE LEAGUES FROM H]E8 ,YES1 9DE$1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE40 

,:ILE ! GOOD MAN WAS TALK+1 ,MONSIEUR HAD TAK5 A SEAT AT ! TABLE BESIDE HIM4 ,GAY1 ALMO/ UPRO>I\S1 HE SLAPP$ HIM ON ! %\LD]1 & EXCLAIM$3 

0,FIVE LEAGUES6 Y\ >E A JOLLY GOOD ONE1 FA!R ,PANTOIS4 ,ALWAYS /RONG1 ALWAYS Y\NG40 

0,NOT SO MU* AS ?AT1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE2 NOT SO MU* AS ?AT40 

0,NONS5SE60 9SI/$ ,MONSIEUR1 0/RONG AS AN OLD ,TURK1--& GOOD-HUMOR$1 YES1 9DE$6 ,!Y DON'T MAKE ANY MORE LIKE Y\ !SE DAYS1 FA!R ,PANTOIS4 ,Y\ >E ( ! OLD S*OOL1 Y\ >E40 

,! OLD MAN %OOK HIS HEAD1 HIS GAUNT HEAD1 ( ! COLOR ( OLD WOOD1 & REPEAT$3 

0,NOT SO MU* AS ?AT4 ,MY LEGS >E WEAK5+1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE2 MY >MS >E GETT+ S(T4 ,& !N MY BACK4 ,OH6 MY CONF\ND$ BACK6 ,MY /R5G? IS ALMO/ GONE4 ,& !N ! WIFE1 :O IS SICK1 & :O NEV] LEAVES H] B$1--:AT A BILL = M$IC9ES6 ,ONE HAS LITTLE LUCK1 ONE HAS LITTLE LUCK4 ,IF AT LEA/ ONE DID NOT GR[ OLD8 ,?AT1 Y\ SEE1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE1 ?AT IS ! WOR/ ( ! MATT]40 

,MONSIEUR SI<$1 MADE A VAGUE GE/URE1 & !N1 SUMM+ UP ! QUE/ION PHILOSOPHICALLY1 SAID3 

0,OH6 YES1 BUT :AT DO Y\ EXPECT1 FA!R ,PANTOIS8 ,SU* IS LIFE4 ,ONE CANNOT BE & HAVE BE54 ,?AT'S ! WAY IT IS40 

0,TO BE SURE2 ONE MU/ BE REASONABLE40 

0,?AT'S IT40 

0,WE LIVE :ILE WE CAN1 ISN'T IT SO1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE80 

0,9DE$ IT IS40 

,&1 AFT] A PAUSE1 HE ADD$ 9 A VOICE ?AT HAD BECOME MELAN*OLY3 

0,BESIDES1 EV]YBODY HAS HIS SORR[S1 FA!R ,PANTOIS40 

0,NO D\BT ( IT40 

,!RE WAS A SIL5CE4 ,M>IANNE WAS CUTT+ UP H]BS4 ,IT WAS GR[+ D>K 9 ! G>D54 ,! TWO BIG SUNFL[]S1 :I* C\LD BE SE5 9 ! P]SPECTIVE ( ! OP5 DOOR1 W]E LOS+ !IR COLOR & DISAPPE>+ 9 ! %ADE4 ,& FA!R ,PANTOIS KEPT ON EAT+4 ,HIS GLASS HAD REMA9$ EMPTY4 ,MONSIEUR FILL$ IT1 & !N1 SUDD5LY AB&ON+ HIS METAPHYSICAL HEI<TS1 HE ASK$3 

0,& :AT >E SWEET-BRI]S WOR? ?IS YE>80 

0,SWEET-BRI]S1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE8 ,WELL1 ?IS YE>1 TAK+ !M AS !Y COME1 SWEET-BRI]S >E WOR? TW5TY-TWO FRANCS A HUNDR$4 ,IT IS A LITTLE DE>1 ,I KN[2 BUT ,I CANNOT GET !M = LESS2 REALLY ,I CANNOT40 

,LIKE A G5]\S MAN1 :O DESPISES CONSID]ATIONS ( MONEY1 ,MONSIEUR 9T]RUPT$ ! OLD MAN1 :O WAS GETT+ READY TO JU/IFY HIMSELF BY EXPLANATIONS4 

0,IT IS ALL RI<T1 FA!R ,PANTOIS4 ,IT IS AGRE$4 ,DO ,I EV] HAGGLE ) Y\8 ,9 FACT1 9/EAD ( TW5TY-TWO FRANCS1 ,I WILL PAY Y\ TW5TY-FIVE = Y\R SWEET-BRI]S40 

0,AH6 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE1 Y\ >E TOO GOOD60 

0,NO1 NO2 ,I AM JU/4 ,I AM = ! PEOPLE1 ,I AM2 = LABOR1 DON'T Y\ KN[80 

,&1 ) A BL[ ON ! TABLE1 HE W5T HI<] /ILL4 

0,NO1 NOT TW5TY-FIVE1--?IRTY1 FA!R ,PANTOIS4 ,I WILL PAY Y\ ?IRTY FRANCS1 DO Y\ HE> ?AT80 

,! GOOD MAN LIFT$ HIS POOR EYES TO ,MONSIEUR1 9 A/ONI%M5T & GRATITUDE1 & /AMM]$3 

0,I HE> V]Y WELL4 ,IT IS A PLEASURE TO WORK = Y\1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE4 ,Y\ KN[ :AT WORK IS1 Y\ DO40 

,MONSIEUR PUT AN 5D TO !SE EFFUSIONS4 

0,& ,I WILL GO TO PAY Y\1--LET US SEE2 TO-DAY IS ,TUESDAY1--,I WILL GO TO PAY Y\ ON ,SUNDAY4 ,DOES ?AT SUIT Y\8 ,& AT ! SAME TIME ,I WILL TAKE MY GUN4 ,IS IT AGRE$80 

,! GLEAM ( GRATITUDE :I* HAD BE5 %9+ 9 ! EYES ( FA!R ,PANTOIS FAD$ \T4 ,HE WAS EMB>RASS$1 TR\BL$2 HE /OPP$ EAT+4 

0,Y\ SEE10 SAID HE1 TIMIDLY1--0WELL1 9 %ORT1 IF Y\ C\LD PAY IT TO-NI<T1 ?AT W\LD OBLIGE ME GREATLY1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE4 ,TW5TY-TWO FRANCS1 ?AT'S ALL2 PRAY EXCUSE ME40 

0,Y\ >E JOK+1 FA!R ,PANTOIS10 REPLI$ ,MONSIEUR1 ) SUP]B ASSURANCE2 0C]TA9LY2 ,I WILL PAY Y\ ?AT DIRECTLY4 ,I PROPOS$ ?AT ONLY = ! PURPOSE ( MAK+ A LITTLE TRIP & PAY+ Y\ A LITTLE VISIT40 

,HE FUMBL$ 9 ! POCKETS ( HIS PANTALOONS1 !N 9 ?OSE ( HIS VE/ & WAI/COAT1 &1 ASSUM+ AN AIR ( SURPRISE1 HE CRI$3 

0,WELL1 !RE6 H]E ,I AM AGA9 )\T *ANGE6 ,I HAVE NO?+ BUT CONF\ND$ ?\S&-FRANC BILLS40 

,) A =C$ & REALLY S9I/] LAU<1 HE ASK$3 

0,I WILL BET ?AT Y\ HAVE NOT *ANGE = A ?\S& FRANCS1 FA!R ,PANTOIS80 

,SEE+ ,MONSIEUR LAU<1 FA!R ,PANTOIS ?\<T ?AT IT WAS PROP] = HIM TO LAU< TOO1 & HE ANSW]$1 JOVIALLY3 

0,HA6 HA6 HA6 ,I HAVE NEV] EV5 SE5 !SE CONF\ND$ BILLS40 

0,WELL1 ON ,SUNDAY !N10 CONCLUD$ ,MONSIEUR4 

,MONSIEUR HAD P\R$ \T A GLASS ( CID] = HIMSELF1 & WAS DR9K+ ) FA!R ,PANTOIS1 :5 ,MADAME1 :OM !Y HAD NOT HE>D COM+1 SUDD5LY 5T]$ ! KIT*51 LIKE A GU/ ( W9D4 

,AH6 H] EYE1 :5 %E SAW ?AT6 :5 %E SAW ,MONSIEUR SITT+ AT TABLE BESIDE ! POOR OLD MAN1 & DR9K+ ) HIM6 

0,:AT'S ?IS80 %E EXCLAIM$1 H] LIPS ALL :ITE4 

,MONSIEUR /AMM]$1 & HEMM$ & HAW$4 

0,IT IS SOME SWEET-BRI]S2 Y\ KN[ V]Y WELL1 MY PET2 SOME SWEET-BRI]S4 ,FA!R ,PANTOIS HAS BR\<T ME SOME SWEET-BRI]S4 ,ALL ! ROSE-BU%ES W]E FROZ5 ?IS W9T]40 

0,I HAVE ORD]$ NO SWEET-BRI]S4 ,WE NE$ NO SWEET-BRI]S H]E40 

,?IS WAS SAID 9 A CUTT+ TONE4 ,!N %E MADE A HALF-CIRCUIT ( ! ROOM1 & W5T \T1 SLAMM+ ! DOOR & %[]+ 9SULTS4 ,9 H] ANG] %E HAD NOT NOTIC$ ME4 

,MONSIEUR & ! POOR OLD PULL] ( SWEET-BRI]S HAD RIS54 ,EMB>RASS$1 !Y LOOK$ AT ! DOOR ?R\< :I* ,MADAME HAD JU/ DISAPPE>$4 ,!N !Y LOOK$ AT EA* O!R1 )\T D>+ TO SAY A WORD4 ,MONSIEUR WAS ! FIR/ TO BREAK ?IS PA9FUL SIL5CE4 

0,WELL1 !N1 ON ,SUNDAY1 FA!R ,PANTOIS40 

0,ON ,SUNDAY1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE40 

0,& TAKE GOOD C>E ( Y\RSELF1 FA!R ,PANTOIS40 

0,Y\ ALSO1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE40 

0,& ?IRTY FRANCS1 M9D Y\4 ,I DO NOT TAKE BACK :AT ,I SAID40 

0,Y\ >E V]Y GOOD40 

,& ! OLD MAN1 TREMBL+ ON HIS LEGS1 & ) BACK B5T1 W5T AWAY1 & DISAPPE>$ 9 ! D>KNESS4 

,POOR ,MONSIEUR6 HE MU/ HAVE RECEIV$ HIS LECTURE6 ,&1 AS = FA!R ,PANTOIS1 IF EV] HE GETS HIS ?IRTY FRANCS1--WELL1 HE WILL BE LUCKY4 

,I DO NOT WI% TO JU/IFY ,MADAME1 BUT ,I ?9K ?AT ,MONSIEUR IS WRONG 9 TALK+ FAMILI>LY ) PEOPLE ?AT >E TOO F> B5EA? HIM4 ,IT IS NOT DIGNIFI$4 

,I KN[ V]Y WELL ?AT HE DOESN'T LEAD A GAY LIFE1 TO BE SURE1 & ?AT HE TAKES SU* OPPORTUNITIES AS (F]4 ,?AT IS NOT ALWAYS CONV5I5T4 ,:5 HE COMES BACK LATE FROM A HUNT1 DIRTY & WET1 & S++ TO KEEP UP HIS C\RAGE1 ,MADAME GIVES HIM A W>M RECEPTION4 

0,AH6 IT IS V]Y NICE ( Y\ TO LEAVE ME ALONE ALL DAY60 

0,BUT Y\ KN[ V]Y WELL1 MY PET44440 

0,BE /ILL40 

,%E SULKS = H\RS & H\RS1 H] =EHEAD /]N1 H] M\? UGLY4 ,HE FOLL[S H] AB\T EV]Y:]E1 TREMBL+ & /AMM]+ EXCUSES4 

0,BUT1 MY PET1 Y\ KN[ V]Y WELL44440 

0,LET ME ALONE2 Y\ MAKE ME TIR$40 

,! NEXT DAY1 NATURALLY1 ,MONSIEUR DOES NOT GO \T1 & ,MADAME EXCLAIMS3 

0,:Y DO Y\ W&] AB\T ?US 9 ! H\SE1 LIKE A S\L 9 TORM5T80 

0,BUT1 MY PET44440 

0,Y\ W\LD DO MU* BETT] TO GO \T1 TO GO HUNT+1 ! DEVIL KN[S :]E6 ,Y\ ANNOY ME2 Y\ UNN]VE ME4 ,GO AWAY40 

,SO ?AT HE NEV] KN[S :AT TO DO1 :E!R TO GO OR /AY1 TO BE H]E OR ELSE:]E4 ,A DIFFICULT PROBLEM4 ,BUT1 AS 9 EI!R CASE ,MADAME SCOLDS1 ,MONSIEUR HAS TAK5 ! C\RSE ( GO+ AWAY AS (T5 AS POSSIBLE4 ,9 ?AT WAY HE DOES NOT HE> H] SCOLD4 

,AH6 IT IS REALLY PITIFUL4 

,! O!R MORN+1 AS ,I WAS GO+ TO SPREAD A LITTLE L95 ON ! H$GE1 ,I SAW HIM 9 ! G>D54 ,MONSIEUR WAS G>D5+4 ,! W9D HAV+ BL[N D[N SOME DAHLIAS DUR+ ! NI<T1 HE WAS REFA/5+ !M TO !IR PROPS4 

,V]Y (T51 :5 HE DOES NOT GO \T BE=E LUN*1 ,MONSIEUR WORKS 9 ! G>D52 AT LEA/1 HE PRET5DS TO BE OCCUPY+ HIMSELF ) SOME?+ OR O!R 9 HIS PLATB&S4 ,IT IS ALWAYS TIME GA9$ FROM ! 5NUI ( ! H\SEHOLD4 ,DUR+ !SE MOM5TS !RE >E NO SC5ES4 ,AWAY FROM ,MADAME1 HE IS NO LONG] ! SAME MAN4 ,HIS FACE LI<T5S UP1 HIS EYES %9E4 ,NATURALLY GAY1 HIS GAIETY COMES TO ! SURFACE4 ,REALLY1 HE IS NOT DISAGREEABLE4 ,9 ! H\SE1 9DE$1 HE R>ELY SPEAKS TO ME N[1 &1 ?\< /ILL B5T ON HIS IDEA1 SEEMS TO PAY NO ATT5TION TO ME4 ,BUT \TSIDE HE NEV] FAILS TO ADDRESS ME A PLEASANT LITTLE WORD1 AFT] MAK+ SURE1 H[EV]1 ?AT ,MADAME CANNOT BE SPY+ HIM4 ,:5 HE DOES NOT D>E TO SPEAK TO ME1 HE LOOKS AT ME1 & HIS LOOK IS MORE ELOQU5T ?AN HIS WORDS4 ,MOREOV]1 ,I AMUSE MYSELF 9 EXCIT+ HIM 9 ALL WAYS1 AL?\< ,I HAVE TAK5 NO RESOLUTION CONC]N+ HIM4 

,9 PASS+ BY HIM1 9 ! PA? :]E HE WAS WORK+1 B5T OV] HIS DAHLIAS1 ) BITS ( /R+ BETWE5 HIS TEE?1 ,I SAID TO HIM1 )\T SLACK5+ MY PACE3 

0,OH6 H[ H>D ,MONSIEUR IS WORK+ ?IS MORN+60 

0,YES1 9DE$10 HE ANSW]$2 0!SE CONF\ND$ DAHLIAS6 ,Y\ SEE44440 

,HE 9VIT$ ME TO /OP A M9UTE4 

0,WELL1 ,CELE/9E1 ,I HOPE Y\ >E GETT+ ACCU/OM$ TO ! PLACE1 N[80 

,ALWAYS HIS MANIA6 ,ALWAYS ! SAME DIFFICULTY 9 5GAG+ 9 CONV]SATION6 ,TO PLEASE HIM1 ,I REPLI$ ) A SMILE3 

0,:Y1 YES1 ,MONSIEUR1 C]TA9LY2 ,I AM GETT+ ACCU/OM$ H]E40 

0,I AM GLAD TO HE> IT4 ,IT IS NOT BAD H]E2 REALLY1 IT IS NOT BAD40 

,HE QUITE /RAI<T5$ UP1 GAVE ME A V]Y T5D] LOOK1 & REPEAT$3 0,IT IS NOT BAD10 ?US GIV+ HIMSELF TIME TO ?9K ( SOME?+ +5I\S TO SAY TO ME4 

,HE TOOK FROM HIS TEE? ! BITS ( /R+1 TI$ !M AT ! TOP ( ! PROP1 &1 ) LEGS SPREAD AP>T1 & HIS TWO PALMS RE/+ ON HIS HIPS1 ) A KN[+ LOOK1 & FRANKLY OBSC5E EYES1 HE CRI$3 

0,I'LL BET1 ,CELE/9E1 ?AT Y\ L$ A GAY LIFE 9 ,P>IS8 ,SAY1 N[1 DIDN'T Y\80 

,I WAS NOT EXPECT+ ?IS4 ,& ,I HAD A GREAT DESIRE TO LAU<4 ,BUT ,I L[]$ MY EYES MODE/LY1 ) AN (F5D$ AIR1 &1 TRY+ TO BLU%1 AS WAS PROP] UND] ! CIRCUM/ANCES1 ,I EXCLAIM$1 9 A TONE ( REPROA*3 

0,OH6 ,MONSIEUR60 

0,WELL1 :AT80 HE 9SI/$2 0A PRETTY GIRL LIKE Y\1--) SU* EYES6 ,OH6 YES1 Y\ MU/ HAVE HAD A GAY TIME4 ,& SO MU* ! BETT]4 ,= MY P>T1 ,I AM = AMUSEM5T2 YES1 ,I AM = LOVE40 

,MONSIEUR WAS BECOM+ /RANGELY ANIMAT$4 ,&1 ON HIS ROBU/1 MUSCUL> P]SON ,I RECOGNIZ$ ! MO/ EVID5T SIGNS ( AMOR\S EXALTATION4 ,HE WAS ON FIRE2 DESIRE WAS FLAM+ 9 HIS EYES4 ,I DEEM$ IT MY DUTY TO P\R A GOOD %[] ( COLD WAT] ON ?IS FIRE4 ,9 A V]Y DRY TONE1 & AT ! SAME TIME V]Y L(TILY1 ,I SAID3 

0,MONSIEUR IS MI/AK54 ,MONSIEUR ?9KS ?AT HE IS SPEAK+ TO HIS O!R *AMB]MAIDS4 ,MONSIEUR MU/ KN[1 H[EV]1 ?AT ,I AM A GOOD GIRL40 

,& ) GREAT DIGNITY1 TO %[ EXACTLY TO :AT EXT5T ?IS \TRAGE HAD (F5D$ ME1 ,I ADD$3 

0,IT WILL S]VE ,MONSIEUR RI<T1 IF ,I GO TO COMPLA9 TO ,MADAME DIRECTLY40 

,& ,I MADE A PRET5SE ( />T+4 ,MONSIEUR QUICKLY GRASP$ ME BY ! >M4 

0,NO1 NO10 HE /AMM]$4 

,H[ DID ,I EV] SAY ALL ?AT )\T BUR/+8 ,H[ DID ,I EV] SUCCE$ 9 BURY+ 9 MY ?ROAT ! LAU< ?AT WAS R++ !RE8 ,REALLY1 ,I DON'T KN[4 

,MONSIEUR WAS PRODIGI\SLY RIDICUL\S4 ,LIVID N[1 ) M\? WIDE OP51 HIS :OLE P]SON BE>+ A TWO-FOLD EXPRESSION ( ANNOYANCE & FE>1 HE REMA9$ SIL5T1 DIGG+ 9TO HIS NECK ) HIS NAILS4 

,NE> US AN OLD PE> TREE TWI/$ ITS PYRAMID ( BRAN*ES1 EAT5 BY LI*5S & MOSSES4 ,A FEW PE>S HUNG )9 REA* ( HIS H&4 ,A MAGPIE WAS *ATT]+ IRONICALLY AT ! TOP ( A NEI<BOR+ *E/NUT TREE4 ,CR\*+ BEH9D ! BORD] ( BOX1 ! CAT WAS PAW+ AT A BUMBLE-BEE4 ,! SIL5CE WAS BECOM+ MORE & MORE PA9FUL = ,MONSIEUR4 ,AT LA/1 AFT] EF=TS ?AT W]E ALMO/ SORR[FUL1--EF=TS ?AT BR\<T GROTESQUE GRIMACES TO HIS LIPS1--,MONSIEUR ASK$3 

0,DO Y\ LIKE PE>S1 ,CELE/9E80 

0,YES1 ,MONSIEUR40 

,I DID NOT DIS>M2 ,I ANSW]$ 9 A TONE ( L(TY 9DIFF]5CE4 

,9 ! FE> ( BE+ SURPRIS$ BY HIS WIFE1 HE HESITAT$ A FEW SECONDS4 ,& SUDD5LY1 LIKE A ?IEV+ *ILD1 HE TOOK A PE> FROM ! TREE1 & GAVE IT TO ME1--OH6 H[ PITE\SLY6 ,HIS KNEES B5T1 HIS H& TREMBL$4 

0,!RE1 ,CELE/9E1 HIDE ?AT 9 Y\R APRON4 ,Y\ NEV] HAVE ANY 9 ! KIT*51 DO Y\80 

0,NO1 ,MONSIEUR40 

0,WELL1 ,I WILL GIVE Y\ SOME OCCASIONALLY1 BECAUSE 444 BECAUSE 444 ,I WI% Y\ TO BE HAPPY40 

,! S9C]ITY & >DOR ( HIS DESIRE1 HIS AWKW>DNESS1 HIS CLUMSY GE/URES1 HIS BEWILD]$ WORDS1 & ALSO HIS MASCUL9E P[]1 ALL HAD A S(T5+ EFFECT UPON ME4 ,I RELAX$ MY FACE A LITTLE1 VEIL$ ! SEV]ITY ( MY LOOK ) A SORT ( SMILE1 &1 HALF IRONICALLY1 HALF COAX+LY1 ,I SAID TO HIM3 

0,OH6 ,MONSIEUR1 IF ,MADAME W]E TO SEE Y\80 

,AGA9 HE BECAME TR\BL$1 BUT1 AS WE W]E SEP>AT$ FROM ! H\SE BY A ?ICK CURTA9 ( *E/NUT TREES1 HE QUICKLY RECOV]$ HIMSELF1 &1 GR[+ MORE DEFIANT AS ,I BECAME LESS SEV]E1 HE EXCLAIM$1 ) EASY GE/URES3 

0,WELL1 :AT8 ,MADAME8 ,& :AT ( H]8 ,I C>E NO?+ = ,MADAME4 ,I DO NOT 9T5D ?AT %E %ALL ANNOY ME4 ,I HAVE 5\< ( H]4 ,I AM OV] MY HEAD 9 ,MADAME40 

,I DECL>$ GRAVELY3 

0,MONSIEUR IS WRONG4 ,MONSIEUR IS NOT JU/4 ,MADAME IS A V]Y AMIABLE WOMAN40 

,HE GAVE A />T4 

0,V]Y AMIABLE8 ,%E8 ,AH6 ,GREAT ,GOD6 ,BUT Y\ DO NOT KN[1 !N1 :AT %E HAS DONE8 ,%E HAS SPOIL$ MY LIFE4 ,I AM NO LONG] A MAN2 ,I AM NO?+ AT ALL4 ,I AM ! LAU<+-/OCK ( ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,& ALL ON ACC\NT ( MY WIFE4 ,MY WIFE8 ,%E 444 %E 444 %E IS A HUSSY1--YES1 ,CELE/9E1 A HUSSY 444 A HUSSY 444 A HUSSY40 

,I GAVE HIM A MORAL LECTURE4 ,I TALK$ TO HIM G5TLY1 HYPOCRITICALLY BOA/+ ( ,MADAME'S 5]GY & ORD] & ALL H] DOME/IC VIRTUES4 ,AT EA* ( MY PHRASES HE BECAME MORE EXASP]AT$4 

0,NO1 NO4 ,A HUSSY6 ,A HUSSY60 

,H[EV]1 ,I SUCCE$$ 9 CALM+ HIM A LITTLE4 ,POOR ,MONSIEUR6 ,I PLAY$ ) HIM ) M>VEL\S EASE4 ,) A SIMPLE LOOK ,I MADE HIM PASS FROM ANG] TO EMOTION4 ,!N HE /AMM]$3 

0,OH6 Y\ >E SO G5TLE1 Y\ >E6 ,Y\ >E SO PRETTY6 ,Y\ MU/ BE SO GOOD6 ,:]EAS ?AT HUSSY0444 

0,OH6 COME1 ,MONSIEUR6 COME6 COME60 

,HE CONT9U$3 

0,Y\ >E SO G5TLE6 ,& YET1 :AT8444 Y\ >E ONLY A *AMB]MAID40 

,= A MOM5T HE DREW NE>] TO ME1 & 9 A L[ VOICE SAID3 

0,IF Y\ W\LD1 ,CELE/9E80 

0,IF ,I W\LD :AT80 

0,IF Y\ W\LD 444 Y\ KN[ V]Y WELL2 YES1 Y\ KN[ V]Y WELL40 

0,MONSIEUR WI%ES ME P]HAPS TO BETRAY ,MADAME ) ,MONSIEUR80 

,HE MISUND]/OOD ! EXPRESSION ( MY FACE2 &1 ) EYES /&+ \T ( HIS HEAD1 ! VE9S 9 HIS NECK SWOLL51 HIS LIPS MOI/ & FRO?Y1 HE ANSW]$1 9 A SMO!R$ VOICE3 

0,YES2 YES1 9DE$40 

0,MONSIEUR DOESN'T ?9K ( SU* A ?+80 

0,I ?9K ( NO?+ ELSE1 ,CELE/9E40 

,HE WAS V]Y R$1 HIS FACE CONGE/$4 

0,AH6 ,MONSIEUR IS GO+ TO BEG9 AGA980 

,HE TRI$ TO GRASP MY H&1 TO DRAW ME TO HIM4 

0,WELL1 YES10 HE /AMM]$1 0,I AM GO+ TO BEG9 AGA92 ,I AM GO+ TO BEG9 AGA91 BECAUSE 444 BECAUSE 444 ,I AM MAD OV] Y\1 ,CELE/9E2 BECAUSE ,I ?9K ( NO?+ ELSE2 BECAUSE ,I CANNOT SLEEP2 BECAUSE ,I FEEL REALLY SICK4 ,& DON'T BE AFRAID ( ME2 HAVE NO FE>S6 ,I AM NOT A BRUTE4 ,NO1 9DE$2 ,I SWE> IT4 ,I 444 ,I44440 

0,ANO!R WORD1 ,MONSIEUR1 & ?IS TIME ,I TELL EV]Y?+ TO ,MADAME4 ,SUPPOSE SOME ONE W]E TO SEE Y\ 9 ! G>D5 9 ?IS CONDITION80 

,HE /OPP$ %ORT4 ,DI/RESS$1 A%AM$1 ?OR\<LY /UPID1 HE KNEW NOT :AT TO DO ) HIS H&S1 ) HIS EYES1 ) HIS :OLE P]SON4 ,& HE LOOK$1 )\T SEE+ !M1 AT ! GR\ND B5EA? HIS FEET1 AT ! OLD PE> TREE1 AT ! G>D54 ,CONQU]$ AT LA/1 HE UNTI$ ! BITS ( /R+ AT ! TOP ( ! PROP1 B5T AGA9 OV] ! FALL5 DAHLIAS1 & SAD1 9F9ITELY SO1 & SUPPLICAT+1 HE GROAN$3 

0,JU/ N[1 ,CELE/9E1 ,I SAID TO Y\ 444 ,I SAID ?AT TO Y\ 444 AS ,I W\LD HAVE SAID ANY?+ ELSE TO Y\1--AS ,I W\LD HAVE SAID NO MATT] :AT4 ,I AM AN OLD FOOL4 ,Y\ MU/ NOT BE ANGRY ) ME4 ,&1 ABOVE ALL1 Y\ MU/ NOT SAY ANY?+ TO ,MADAME4 ,Y\ >E RI<T1 ?\<2 SUPPOSE SOME ONE HAD SE5 US 9 ! G>D580 

,I RAN AWAY1 TO KEEP FROM LAU<+4 

,YES1 ,I WANT$ TO LAU<4 ,&1 NEV]!LESS1 !RE WAS AN EMOTION S++ 9 MY HE>T1 SOME?+--:AT %ALL ,I CALL IT8--SOME?+ MAT]NAL4 ,&1 BESIDES1 IT W\LD HAVE BE5 AMUS+1 BECAUSE ( ,MADAME4 ,WE %ALL SEE1 LAT]4 

,MONSIEUR DID NOT GO AWAY ALL DAY4 ,HE /RAI<T5$ HIS DAHLIAS1 & DUR+ ! AFT]NOON HE DID NOT LEAVE ! WOOD-H\SE1 :]E HE SPLIT WOOD FURI\SLY = MORE ?AN F\R H\RS4 ,FROM ! L95-ROOM ,I LI/5$1 ) A SORT ( PRIDE1 TO ! BL[S ( ! AX4 

,YE/]DAY ,MONSIEUR & ,MADAME SP5T ! 5TIRE AFT]NOON AT ,L\VI]S4 ,MONSIEUR HAD AN APPO9TM5T ) HIS LAWY]1 ,MADAME ) H] DRESSMAK]4 ,H] DRESSMAK]6 

,I TOOK ADVANTAGE ( ?IS MOM5T ( RE/ TO PAY A VISIT TO ,ROSE1 :OM ,I HAD NOT SE5 S9CE ?AT FAM\S ,SUNDAY4 ,& ,I WAS NOT AV]SE TO MAK+ ! ACQUA9TANCE ( ,CAPTA9 ,MAUG]4 

,A TRUE TYPE ( AN OLD SEA-DOG1 ?IS MAN1 & SU* AS Y\ SELDOM SEE1 ,I ASSURE Y\4 ,FANCY A C>P'S HEAD1 ) A MU/A*E & A LONG GRAY TUFT ( BE>D4 ,V]Y DRY1 V]Y N]V\S1 V]Y RE/LESS1 HE CANNOT /AY 9 ONE PLACE = ANY L5G? ( TIME1 & IS ALWAYS AT WORK1 EI!R 9 HIS G>D51 OR 9 A LITTLE ROOM :]E HE DOES C>P5T]+1 HUMM+ MILIT>Y AIRS OR IMITAT+ ! BUGLE ( ! REGIM5T4 

,! G>D5 IS V]Y PRETTY1--AN OLD G>D5 DIVID$ 9TO SQU>E B$S 9 :I* OLD-FA%ION$ FL[]S >E CULTIVAT$1--?OSE V]Y OLD FL[]S ?AT >E F\ND N[ ONLY 9 V]Y OLD FIELDS & 9 ! G>D5S ( V]Y OLD PRIE/S4 

,:5 ,I >RIV$1 ,ROSE1 COM=TABLY SEAT$ 9 ! %ADE ( AN ACACIA1 BESIDE A RU/IC TABLE1 ON :I* LAY H] WORK-BASKET1 WAS M5D+ /OCK+S1 & ! CAPTA91 SQUATT+ ON ! GRASS1 & WE>+ AN OLD =AG+-CAP ON HIS HEAD1 WAS /OPP+ ! LEAKS 9 A G>D5-HOSE :I* HAD BUR/ ! NI<T BE=E4 

,!Y WELCOM$ ME 5?USIA/ICALLY1 & ,ROSE ORD]$ ! LITTLE S]VANT1 :O WAS WE$+ A B$ ( M>GU]ITES1 TO GO = ! BOTTLE ( PEA* BR&Y & SOME GLASSES4 

,! FIR/ C\RTESIES EX*ANG$1 ! CAPTA9 ASK$3 

0,WELL1 HE HAS NOT YET CROAK$1 !N1 Y\R ,LANLAIRE8 ,OH6 Y\ CAN BOA/ ( S]V+ 9 A FAM\S D56 ,I REALLY PITY Y\1 MY DE> Y\NG WOMAN40 

,HE EXPLA9$ TO ME ?AT =M]LY ,MONSIEUR & HE HAD LIV$ AS GOOD NEI<BORS1 AS 9SEP>ABLE FRI5DS4 ,A DISCUSSION APROPOS ( ,ROSE HAD BR\<T ON A DEADLY QU>REL4 ,MONSIEUR1 IT SEEMS1 REPROA*$ ! CAPTA9 ) NOT MA9TA9+ HIS DIGNITY ) HIS S]VANT1--) ADMITT+ H] TO HIS TABLE4 

,9T]RUPT+ HIS /ORY1 ! CAPTA9 =C$ MY TE/IMONY3 

0,TO MY TABLE6 ,WELL1 HAVE ,I NOT ! RI<T8 ,IS IT ANY ( HIS BUS9ESS80 

0,C]TA9LY NOT1 CAPTA940 

,ROSE1 9 A MODE/ VOICE1 SI<$3 

0,A MAN LIV+ ALL ALONE2 IT IS V]Y NATURAL ISN'T IT80 

,S9CE ?IS FAM\S DISCUSSION1 :I* HAD COME NE> 5D+ 9 BL[S1 ! TWO OLD FRI5DS HAD PASS$ !IR TIME 9 LAWSUITS & TRICKS4 ,!Y HAT$ EA* O!R SAVAGELY4 

0,AS = ME10 DECL>$ ! CAPTA91 0:5 ,I F9D ANY /ONES 9 MY G>D51 ,I ?R[ !M OV] ! H$GE 9TO ,LANLAIRE'S4 ,SO MU* ! WORSE IF !Y FALL ON HIS BELL-GLASSES & ON HIS G>D5-FRAMES6 ,OR1 RA!R1 SO MU* ! BETT]6 ,OH6 ! PIG6 ,WAIT N[1 LET ME %[ Y\40 

,HAV+ NOTIC$ A /ONE 9 ! PA?1 HE RU%$ TO PICK IT UP1 APPROA*$ ! H$GE CAUTI\SLY1 CREEP+ LIKE A TRAPP]1 & ?REW ! /ONE 9TO \R G>D5 ) ALL HIS MI<T4 ,WE HE>D A NOISE ( BREAK+ GLASS4 ,!N1 RETURN+ TO US TRIUMPHANTLY1 %AK+1 /IFL$1 TWI/$ ) LAU<T]1 HE EXCLAIM$3 

0,ANO!R SQU>E BROK56 ,! GLAZI] WILL HAVE TO COME AGA940 

,ROSE LOOK$ AT HIM ) A SORT ( MAT]NAL ADMIRATION1 & SAID3 

0,IS HE NOT DROLL8 ,:AT A *ILD6 ,& H[ Y\NG1 = HIS AGE60 

,AFT] WE HAD SIPP$ A LITTLE GLASS ( BR&Y1 ,CAPTA9 ,MAUG] DESIR$ TO DO ME ! HONORS ( ! G>D54 ,ROSE EXCUS$ H]SELF = H] 9ABILITY TO ACCOMPANY US1 BECAUSE ( H] A/HMA1 & C\NSEL$ US NOT TO /AY TOO LONG4 

0,BESIDES10 SAID %E1 JOK+LY1 0,I AM WAT*+ Y\40 

,! CAPTA9 TOOK ME ?R\< ! PA?S1 AMONG ! B$S BORD]$ ) BOX & FILL$ ) FL[]S4 ,HE TOLD ME ! NAMES ( ! PRETTIE/ ONES1 REM>K+ EA* TIME ?AT !RE W]E NO SU* TO BE SE5 9 ! G>D5 ( ?AT PIG ( A ,LANLAIRE4 ,SUDD5LY HE PLUCK$ A LITTLE ORANGE-COLOR$ FL[]1 ODD & *>M+1 TWIRL$ ! /EM G5TLY 9 HIS F+]S1 & ASK$ ME3 

0,DID Y\ EV] EAT ANY ( !SE80 

,I WAS SO SURPRIS$ BY ?IS PREPO/]\S QUE/ION ?AT ,I /OOD ) M\? CLOS$4 ,! CAPTA9 DECL>$3 

0,WELL1 ,I HAVE EAT5 !M4 ,!Y >E P]FECT TO ! TA/E4 ,I HAVE EAT5 ALL ! FL[]S ?AT >E H]E4 ,SOME >E GOOD2 SOME >E NOT SO GOOD2 & SOME DON'T AM\NT TO MU*4 ,BUT1 AS = ME1 ,I EAT EV]Y?+40 

,HE W9K$1 CLACK$ HIS TONGUE1 TAPP$ HIS BELLY1 & REPEAT$ 9 A L\D] VOICE1 9 :I* AN ACC5T ( DEFIANCE WAS UPP]MO/3 

0,I EAT EV]Y?+1 ,I DO40 

,! WAY 9 :I* ! CAPTA9 HAD JU/ PROCLAIM$ ?IS /RANGE CONFESSION ( FAI? REVEAL$ TO ME ?AT HIS VANITY 9 LIFE WAS TO EAT EV]Y?+4 ,I AMUS$ MYSELF 9 HUMOR+ HIS MANIA4 

0,& Y\ >E RI<T1 ,CAPTA940 

0,SURELY10 HE ANSW]$1 NOT )\T PRIDE4 0,& IT IS NOT ONLY PLANTS ?AT ,I EAT2 ,I EAT ANIMALS ALSO1--ANIMALS ?AT NOBODY ELSE HAS EAT51--ANIMALS ?AT >E NOT KN[N4 ,I EAT EV]Y?+1 ,I DO40 

,WE CONT9U$ \R WALK AMONG ! FL[]-B$S1 ?R\< ! N>R[ PA?S :]E PRETTY COROLLAS1 BLUE1 YELL[1 & R$1 W]E SWAY+ 9 ! BREEZE4 ,&1 AS HE LOOK$ AT ! FL[]S1 IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT ! CAPTA9'S BELLY GAVE LITTLE />TS ( JOY4 ,HIS TONGUE PASS$ OV] HIS *APP$ LIPS ) A SLI<T SMACK4 

,HE SAID TO ME FUR!R3 

0,& ,I AM GO+ TO CONFESS TO Y\4 ,!RE >E NO 9SECTS1 NO BIRDS1 NO E>?-WORMS ?AT ,I HAVE NOT EAT54 ,I HAVE EAT5 SKUNKS & SNAKES1 RATS & CRICKETS & CAT]PILL>S4 ,I HAVE EAT5 EV]Y?+4 ,IT IS WELL KN[N 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,:5 !Y F9D A BEA/1 DEAD OR ALIVE1 A BEA/ UNKN[N TO ANYBODY1 !Y SAY TO !MSELVES3 ',I MU/ TAKE IT TO ,CAPTA9 ,MAUG]4' ,!Y BR+ IT TO ME1 & ,I EAT IT4 ,9 W9T] ESPECIALLY1 :5 IT IS V]Y COLD1 UNKN[N BIRDS PASS ?IS WAY1 COM+ FROM ,AM]ICA1 OR FROM A GREAT] DI/ANCE P]HAPS4 ,!Y BR+ !M TO ME1 & ,I EAT !M4 ,I WILL BET ?AT !RE IS NOT A MAN 9 ! WORLD :O HAS EAT5 AS MANY ?+S AS ,I HAVE4 ,I EAT EV]Y?+40 

,! WALK OV]1 WE RETURN$ TO SIT D[N UND] ! ACACIA4 ,& ,I WAS GETT+ READY TO LEAVE1 :5 ! CAPTA9 CRI$3 

0,OH6 ,I MU/ %[ Y\ SOME?+ CURI\S1--SOME?+ ?AT Y\ HAVE NEV] SE51 ,I AM SURE40 

,& HE CALL$ 9 A L\D VOICE3 

0,KLEB]6 ,KLEB]60 

,BETWE5 TWO CALLS HE EXPLA9$ TO ME3 

0,KLEB] IS MY F]RET4 ,A PH5OM5ON60 

,& HE CALL$ AGA93 

0,KLEB]6 ,KLEB]60 

,!N1 ON A BRAN* ABOVE US1 BETWE5 GRE5 & GOLD5 LEAVES1 !RE APPE>$ A P9K SN\T & TWO LITTLE BLACK1 %>P1 BRI<T EYES4 

0,OH6 ,I KNEW WELL ?AT HE WAS NOT F> AWAY4 ,COME1 COME H]E1 ,KLEB]6 ,PS/T60 

,! ANIMAL CREPT ALONG ! BRAN*1 V5TUR$ UPON ! TRUNK1 & DESC5D$ C>EFULLY1 BURY+ ITS CLAWS 9 ! B>K4 ,HIS BODY1 COV]$ ) :ITE FUR & M>K$ ) PALE YELL[ SPOTS1 HAD ! SUPPLE MOVEM5TS1 ! GRACEFUL UNDULATIONS1 ( A S]P5T4 ,HE T\*$ GR\ND1 & 9 TWO B\NDS WAS ON ! KNEES ( ! CAPTA91 :O BEGAN TO C>ESS HIM JOYFULLY4 

0,OH6 ! GOOD ,KLEB]6 ,OH6 ! *>M+ LITTLE ,KLEB]60 

,HE TURN$ TO ME3 

0,DID Y\ EV] SEE A F]RET AS TAME AS ?AT8 ,HE FOLL[S ME AB\T ! G>D5 EV]Y:]E1 LIKE A LITTLE DOG4 ,I HAVE ONLY TO CALL HIM1 & HE IS !RE DIRECTLY1 HIS TAIL FRISK+1 HIS HEAD LIFT$4 ,HE EATS ) US1 SLEEPS ) US4 ,9DE$1 ,I LOVE ! LITTLE BEA/ AS IF HE W]E A P]SON4 ,:Y1 ,MADEMOISELLE ,CELE/9E1 ,I HAVE REFUS$ ?REE HUNDR$ FRANCS = HIM4 ,I W\LD NOT SELL HIM = A ?\S& FRANCS1--NO1 NOT = TWO ?\S& FRANCS4 ,H]E1 ,KLEB]40 

,! ANIMAL LIFT$ ITS HEAD T[>D ITS MA/]2 !N IT CLIMB$ UPON HIM1 M\NT$ HIS %\LD]S1 &1 AFT] A ?\S& C>ESSES & A ?\S& PRETTY TRICKS1 ROLL$ ITSELF >\ND ! CAPTA9'S NECK1 LIKE A H&K]*IEF4 ,ROSE SAID NO?+4 ,%E SEEM$ VEX$4 

,!N AN 9F]NAL IDEA FLA%$ 9TO MY M9D4 

0,I WILL BET Y\10 ,I SAID1 SUDD5LY1--0,I WILL BET Y\1 ,CAPTA91 ?AT Y\ W\LD NOT EAT Y\R F]RET40 

,! CAPTA9 LOOK$ AT ME ) PR(\ND A/ONI%M5T1 & !N ) 9F9ITE SADNESS4 ,HIS EYES BECAME R\ND1 HIS LIPS QUIV]$4 

0,KLEB]80 HE /AMM]$2 0EAT ,KLEB]80 

,EVID5TLY ?IS QUE/ION HAD NEV] OCCURR$ TO HIM1 :O HAD EAT5 EV]Y?+4 ,A SORT ( NEW WORLD1 /RANGELY COME/IBLE1 APPE>$ BE=E HIM4 

0,I WILL BET10 ,I REPEAT$1 F]OCI\SLY1 0?AT Y\ W\LD NOT EAT Y\R F]RET40 

,BEWILD]$1 DI/RESS$1 MOV$ BY A MY/]I\S & 9V9CIBLE %OCK1 ! OLD CAPTA9 HAD RIS5 FROM HIS B5*4 ,HE WAS EXTRAORD9>ILY AGITAT$4 

0,JU/ SAY ?AT AGA91 & SEE60 HE /AMM]$4 

,= ! ?IRD TIME1 VIOL5TLY1 SEP>AT+ EA* WORD1 ,I SAID3 

0,I WILL BET ?AT Y\ W\LD NOT EAT Y\R F]RET40 

0,I W\LD NOT EAT MY F]RET8 ,:AT'S ?AT Y\ SAY8 ,Y\ SAY ?AT ,I W\LD NOT EAT IT8 ,YES1 Y\ SAY ?AT8 ,WELL1 Y\ %ALL SEE4 ,I TELL Y\ ?AT ,I EAT EV]Y?+40 

,HE SEIZ$ ! F]RET4 ,AS ONE BREAKS A LOAF ( BREAD1 HE BROKE ! LITTLE BEA/'S BACK ) A SNAP1 & ?REW IT1 DEAD )\T A %OCK1 )\T A SPASM1 ON ! S&Y PA?1 %\T+ TO ,ROSE3 

0,MAKE ME A /EW \T ( ?AT = D9N]60 

,&1 MADLY GE/ICULAT+1 HE RAN TO %UT HIMSELF UP 9 ! H\SE4 

,= SOME M9UTES ,I FELT A REAL & UNSPEAKABLE HORROR4 ,/ILL COMPLETELY DAZ$ BY ! ABOM9ABLE ACTION ?AT ,I HAD JU/ COMMITT$1 ,I ROSE TO GO4 ,I WAS V]Y PALE4 ,ROSE ACCOMPANI$ ME4 ,) A SMILE %E CONFID$ TO ME3 

0,I AM NOT SORRY = :AT HAS JU/ HAPP5$4 ,HE WAS TOO FOND ( HIS F]RET4 ,I DO NOT WI% HIM TO LOVE ANY?+4 ,HE LOVES HIS FL[]S ALREADY TOO MU* TO SUIT ME40 

,AFT] A %ORT SIL5CE1 %E ADD$3 

0,BUT HE WILL NEV] =GIVE Y\ = ?AT4 ,HE IS NOT A MAN TO BE DEFI$4 ,AN OLD SOLDI]1 Y\ KN[60 

,!N1 A FEW /EPS F>!R ON3 

0,PAY ATT5TION1 MY LITTLE ONE4 ,!Y >E BEG9N+ TO GOSSIP AB\T Y\ 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,IT SEEMS ?AT Y\ W]E SE5 ! O!R DAY1 9 ! G>D51 ) ,MONSIEUR ,LANLAIRE4 ,IT IS V]Y IMPRUD5T1 BELIEVE ME4 ,HE WILL GET Y\ 9TO TR\BLE1 IF HE HASN'T ALREADY DONE SO4 ,Y\ WANT TO LOOK \T = Y\RSELF40 

,&1 AS %E CLOS$ ! GATE BEH9D ME3 

0,WELL1 AU REVOIR6 ,N[ ,I MU/ GO TO MAKE MY /EW40 

,ALL DAY LONG ,I SAW BE=E MY EYES ! BODY ( ! POOR LITTLE F]RET1 LY+ !RE ON ! S&Y PA?4 

,?IS EV5+1 AT D9N]1 :5 DESS]T WAS BE+ S]V$1 ,MADAME SAID TO ME1 V]Y SEV]ELY3 

0,IF Y\ LIKE PRUNES1 Y\ HAVE ONLY TO ASK ME = !M2 ,I WILL SEE IF ,I CAN GIVE Y\ ANY2 BUT ,I =BID Y\ TO TAKE !M40 

,I ANSW]$3 

0,I AM NOT A ?IEF1 ,MADAME1 & ,I DO NOT LIKE PRUNES40 

,MADAME 9SI/$3 

0,I TELL Y\ ?AT Y\ HAVE TAK5 SOME PRUNES40 

,I REPLI$3 

0,IF ,MADAME ?9KS ME A ?IEF1 ,MADAME HAS ONLY TO PAY ME & LET ME GO40 

,MADAME SNAT*$ ! PLATE ( PRUNES FROM MY H&4 

0,MONSIEUR ATE FIVE ?IS MORN+2 !RE W]E ?IRTY-TWO2 N[ !RE >E BUT TW5TY-FIVE2 !N Y\ HAVE TAK5 TWO4 ,DON'T LET ?AT HAPP5 AGA940 

,IT WAS TRUE4 ,I HAD EAT5 TWO ( !M4 ,%E HAD C\NT$ !M6 

,DID Y\ EV] 9 Y\R LIFE8 

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

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

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
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