,*APT] #g 
,OCTOB] #f 

#aiai 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,OCTAVE ,MIRBEAU 

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

,TEXT 3 

,DECID$LY1 AUTUMN IS H]E4 ,FRO/S :I* W]E NOT EXPECT$ SO SOON HAVE BR[N$ ! LA/ FL[]S ( ! G>D54 ,! DAHLIAS1 ! POOR DAHLIAS1 WITNESSES ( ,MONSIEUR'S AMOR\S TIMIDITY1 >E DRI$ UP2 DRI$ UP ALSO >E ! BIG SUNFL[]S ?AT M\NT$ GU>D AT ! KIT*5-DOOR4 ,!RE IS NO?+ LEFT 9 ! DEVA/AT$ FL[]-B$S1--NO?+ BUT A FEW SORRY-LOOK+ G]ANIUMS H]E & !RE1 & FIVE OR SIX CLU/]S ( A/]S1 :OSE BLUE FL[]S--! DULL BLUE ( ROTT5NESS-->E B5D+ T[>D ! GR\ND 9 ANTICIPATION ( DEA?4 ,! G>D5-PLOTS ( ,CAPTA9 ,MAUG]1 :OM ,I SAW JU/ N[ OV] ! H$GE1 PRES5T A SC5E ( V]ITABLE DISA/]1 & EV]Y?+ IS ( ! COLOR ( TOBACCO4 

,! TREES1 ?R\< ! FIELDS1 >E BEG9N+ TO TURN YELL[ & TO LOSE !IR FOLIAGE1 & ! SKY IS FUN]EAL4 ,= F\R DAYS WE HAVE BE5 LIV+ 9 A ?ICK FOG1 A BR[N FOG ?AT SMELT ( SOOT & ?AT DID NOT DISSIPATE EV5 9 ! AFT]NOON4 ,N[ IT IS RA9+1 AN ICY1 BEAT+ RA91 :I* A FI]CE W9D1 BL[+ 9 SQUALLS FROM ! NOR?WE/1 OCCASIONALLY 9T5SIFIES4 

,AH6 ,I AM NOT COM=TABLY SITUAT$ H]E4 ,9 MY ROOM IT IS BITT] COLD4 ,! W9D BL[S 9TO IT1 & ! WAT] P5ETRATES ! CRACKS 9 ! RO(1 PR9CIPALLY >\ND ! TWO W9D[S :I* /+ILY ILLUM9ATE ?IS D>K HOLE4 ,& ! NOISE ( LIFT+ SLATES1 ( %OCKS ?AT %AKE ! RO(1 ( CREAK+ TIMB]S & ( SQUEAK+ H+ES1 IS DEAF5+4 ,9 SPITE ( ! URG5T NE$ ( REPAIRS1 ,I HAVE HAD ALL ! DIFFICULTY 9 ! WORLD 9 GETT+ ,MADAME TO ORD] ! PLUMB] TO COME TO-MORR[ MORN+4 ,& ,I DO NOT D>E YET TO ASK = A /OVE1 AL?\<1 BE+ V]Y *ILLY1 ,I FEEL ?AT ,I %ALL NOT BE ABLE TO LIVE 9 ?IS MORTAL ROOM ?R\< ! W9T]4 ,?IS EV5+1 TO /OP ! W9D & ! RA91 ,I HAVE HAD TO /UFF OLD SKIRTS 9TO ! CRACKS4 ,& ?IS WEA!R-VANE ABOVE MY HEAD1 NEV] CEAS+ TO TURN ON ITS RU/Y PIVOT1 AT TIMES %RIEKS \T SO %>PLY 9 ! NI<T ?AT ONE W\LD TAKE IT = ,MADAME'S VOICE 9 ! CORRIDORS1 AFT] A SC5E4 

,MY FIR/ FEEL+S ( REVOLT HAV+ QUIET$ D[N A LITTLE1 MY LIFE PROCE$S H]E MONOTON\SLY & /UPIDLY2 & ,I AM GRADUALLY GETT+ ACCU/OM$ TO IT1 )\T TOO GREAT MORAL SUFF]+4 ,NO ONE EV] COMES H]E2 ONE W\LD TAKE IT = A CURS$ H\SE4 ,&1 \TSIDE ( ! PETTY DOME/IC 9CID5TS ?AT ,I HAVE RELAT$1 NEV] DOES ANY?+ HAPP54 ,ALL ! DAYS >E ALIKE1 & ALL ! TASKS1 & ALL ! FACES4 ,IT IS 5NUI & DEA?4 ,BUT ,I AM BEG9N+ TO BE SO /UPID ?AT ,I AM ACCOMMODAT+ MYSELF TO ?IS 5NUI1 AS IF IT W]E A NATURAL ?+4 ,EV5 ! DEPRIVATION ( LOVE DOES NOT CAUSE ME TOO MU* EMB>RASSM5T1 & ,I 5DURE )\T TOO PA9FUL /RUGGLES ?IS *A/ITY TO :I* ,I AM CONDEMN$1 OR TO :I*1 RA!R1 ,I HAVE CONDEMN$ MYSELF1--= ,I HAVE AB&ON$ ,MONSIEUR1 ,I HAVE DROPP$ ,MONSIEUR F9ALLY4 ,MONSIEUR BORES ME1 & ,I AM ANGRY ) HIM = HAV+1 \T ( C[>DICE1 DISP>AG$ ME SO GROSSLY 9 TALK+ ) ,MADAME4 ,NOT ?AT HE IS BECOM+ RESIGN$1 OR CEAS+ TO PAY ATT5TION TO ME4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y1 HE P]SI/S 9 REVOLV+ AB\T ME1 ) EYES ?AT GR[ R\ND] & R\ND]1 & A M\? ?AT GR[S MORE & MORE FRO?Y4 ,ACCORD+ TO AN EXPRESSION ?AT ,I HAVE READ 9 ,I HAVE =GOTT5 :AT BOOK1 IT IS ALWAYS T[>D MY TR\< ?AT HE DRIVES ! PIGS ( HIS DESIRE TO DR9K4 

,N[ ?AT ! DAYS >E %ORT5+1 ,MONSIEUR SP5DS ! AFT]NOON AT HIS DESK1 :]E HE DOES ! DEVIL KN[S :AT1 OCCUPY+ HIS TIME 9 MOV+ AB\T OLD PAP]S )\T REASON1 9 *ECK+ (F SE$-CATALOGS & M$ICAL ADV]TISEM5TS1 & 9 DI/RACT$LY TURN+ ! LEAVES ( OLD HUNT+-BOOKS4 ,Y\ %\LD SEE HIM :5 ,I GO 9 AT NI<T TO CLOSE ! BL9DS OR ATT5D TO HIS FIRE4 ,!N HE RISES1 C\<S1 SNEEZES1 CLE>S HIS ?ROAT1 RUNS AGA9/ ! FURNITURE1 UPSETS OBJECTS1 & TRIES 9 ALL SORTS ( /UPID WAYS TO ATTRACT MY ATT5TION4 ,IT IS 5\< TO MAKE ONE TWI/ ) LAU<T]4 ,I MAKE A PRET5SE ( HE>+ NO?+1 ( NOT UND]/&+ HIS PU]ILE TRICKS2 & ,I GO AWAY1 SIL5T & HAU<TY1 )\T LOOK+ AT HIM ANY MORE ?AN IF HE W]E NOT !RE4 

,LA/ EV5+1 H[EV]1 WE EX*ANG$ ! FOLL[+ BRIEF REM>KS3 

0,CELE/9E60 

0,MONSIEUR DESIRES SOME?+80 

0,CELE/9E1 Y\ >E UNK9D TO ME2 :Y >E Y\ UNK9D TO ME80 

0,:Y1 ,MONSIEUR KN[S V]Y WELL ?AT ,I AM A LOOSE CREATURE644440 

0,OH6 COME60 

0,A DIRTY ?+644440 

0,OH6 COME1 COME60 

0,& POSSIBLY DISEAS$40 

0,OH6 HEAV5S6 ,CELE/9E6 ,COME1 ,CELE/9E1 LI/5 TO ME60 

0,BAH60 

,OH6 ,I HAVE 5\< ( HIM4 ,IT NO LONG] AMUSES ME TO UPSET HIS HEAD & HIS HE>T BY MY COQUETRIES4 

,9 FACT1 NO?+ AMUSES ME H]E4 ,& ! WOR/ ( IT IS ?AT NO?+ BORES ME1 EI!R4 ,IS IT ! AIR ( ?IS DIRTY C\NTRY1 ! SIL5CE ( ! FIELDS1 ! HEAVY1 CO>SE FOOD ?AT ,I EAT8 ,A FEEL+ ( TORPOR IS TAK+ POSSESSION ( ME1--A FEEL+1 MOREOV]1 :I* IS NOT )\T *>M4 ,AT ANY RATE1 IT DULLS MY S5SIBILITY1 DEAD5S MY DREAMS1 & HELPS ME TO 5DURE ,MADAME'S 9SOL5CE & SCOLD+4 ,?ANKS TO IT ALSO1 ,I FEEL A C]TA9 CONT5T 9 *ATT]+1 AT NI<T1 = H\RS1 ) ,M>IANNE & ,JOSEPH1--?IS /RANGE ,JOSEPH :O DOES NOT GO \T ANY MORE1 & SEEMS TO F9D PLEASURE 9 REMA9+ ) US4 ,! IDEA ?AT ,JOSEPH P]HAPS IS 9 LOVE ) ME1--WELL1 ?AT FLATT]S ME4 ,YES1 9DE$1 ,I HAVE GOT TO ?AT PO9T4 ,& !N ,I READ1 & READ1--NOVELS1 NOVELS1 & MORE NOVELS4 ,I HAVE R]EAD ,PAUL ,B\RGET4 ,HIS BOOKS DO NOT EXCITE MY 5?USIASM AS !Y US$ TO4 ,9 FACT1 !Y TIRE ME1 & ,I CONSID] !M FALSE & SUP]FICIAL4 ,!Y >E CONCEIV$ 9 ?AT /ATE ( S\L :I* ,I KN[ WELL FROM HAV+ EXP]I5C$ IT :51 DAZZL$ & FASC9AT$1 ,I CAME 9 CONTACT ) WEAL? & LUXURY4 ,I AM ALL OV] IT TO-DAY1 & !SE ?+S NO LONG] A/ONI% ME4 ,!Y /ILL A/ONI% ,PAUL ,B\RGET4 ,OH6 ,I W\LD NOT BE SO SILLY N[ AS TO GO TO HIM = PSY*OLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS1 = ,I KN[ BETT] ?AN HE :AT !RE IS BEH9D A P>LOR PORTI]E & UND] A LACE DRESS4 

,A ?+ TO :I* ,I CANNOT GET ACCU/OM$ IS ! RECEIV+ ( NO LETT]S FROM ,P>IS4 ,EV]Y MORN+1 :5 ! C>RI] COMES1 ,I FEEL A SORT ( LAC]ATION 9 MY HE>T AT REALIZ+ ?AT ,I AM SO AB&ON$ BY EV]YBODY2 & IT IS 9 ?IS WAY ?AT ,I CAN BE/ MEASURE ! EXT5T ( MY SOLITUDE4 ,9 VA9 HAVE ,I WRITT5 TO MY OLD COMRADES1 & ESPECIALLY TO ,MONSIEUR ,JEAN1 URG5T & DISCONSOLATE LETT]S2 9 VA9 HAVE ,I IMPLOR$ !M TO PAY SOME ATT5TION TO ME1 TO TAKE ME \T ( MY HELL1 TO F9D ME A PLACE 9 ,P>IS1 H[EV] HUMBLE IT MAY BE4 ,NOT ONE ( !M ANSW]S ME4 ,I W\LD NEV] HAVE BELIEV$ 9 SO MU* 9DIFF]5CE1 9 SO MU* +RATITUDE4 

,& ?IS =CES ME TO CL+ MORE TI<TLY TO :AT ,I HAVE LEFT1--MY MEMORIES & ! PA/4 ,MEMORIES 9 :I*1 9 SPITE ( EV]Y?+1 JOY DOM9ATES SUFF]+2 A PA/ :I* R5EWS MY HOPE ?AT ALL IS NOT OV] ) ME1 & ?AT IT IS NOT TRUE ?AT AN ACCID5TAL FALL MEANS IRREP>ABLE RU94 ,?AT IS :Y1 ALONE 9 MY ROOM1 :ILE1 ON ! O!R SIDE ( MY P>TITION1 ,M>IANNE'S SNOR+ REPRES5TS TO ME ! DI/RESS+ PRES5T1 ,I TRY TO DR[N ?IS RIDICUL\S S\ND 9 ! S\ND ( MY OLD-TIME JOYS1 & ,I PASSIONATELY SCRUT9IZE ?IS PA/1 9 ORD] TO RECON/RUCT FROM ITS SCATT]$ BITS ! ILLUSION ( A FUTURE4 

,?IS V]Y DAY1 ,OCTOB] #f1 IS A DATE FULL ( RECOLLECTIONS4 ,DUR+ ! FIVE YE>S ?AT HAVE ELAPS$ S9CE ! TRAG$Y :I* ,I N[ DESIRE TO RELATE1 ALL ! DETAILS HAVE REMA9$ DEEP-ROOT$ )9 ME4 ,!RE IS A DEAD BOY 9 ?IS TRAG$Y1 A POOR LITTLE DEAD BOY1 SWEET & PRETTY1 :OM ,I KILL$ BY GIV+ HIM TOO MANY C>ESSES & TOO MANY JOYS1 BY GIV+ HIM TOO MU* ( LIFE4 ,& DUR+ ! FIVE YE>S S9CE HE DI$1--DI$ ( ME1--?IS WILL BE ! FIR/ TIME ?AT ,I HAVE NOT GONE1 ON ! SIX? ( ,OCTOB]1 TO COV] HIS GRAVE ) ! USUAL FL[]S4 ,BUT ( !SE FL[]S1 :I* ,I %ALL NOT C>RY TO HIS GRAVE1 ,I WILL MAKE A MORE DURABLE B\QUET1 :I* WILL ADORN & P]FUME HIS BELOV$ MEMORY BETT] ?AN ! GRAVEY>D FL[]S ADORN & P]FUME ! BIT ( E>? 9 :I* HE SLEEPS4 ,= ! FL[]S ( :I* ! B\QUET ?AT ,I %ALL MAKE WILL BE COMPOS$ ,I WILL GA!R1 ONE BY ONE1 9 ! G>D5 ( MY HE>T1--9 ! G>D5 ( MY HE>T1 :]E NOT ONLY GR[ ! MORTAL FL[]S ( DEBAU*]Y1 BUT :]E BLOOM ALSO ! GREAT :ITE LILIES ( LOVE4 

,I REMEMB] ?AT IT WAS ON A ,SATURDAY4 ,AT ! EMPLOYM5T-BUREAU 9 ! ,RUE DU ,COLISEE1 :I* ,I HAD VISIT$ REGUL>LY EV]Y MORN+ = A WEEK 9 SE>* ( A PLACE1 ,I WAS 9TRODUC$ TO AN OLD LADY 9 M\RN+4 ,NEV] HAD ,I MET A FACE MORE 5GAG+1 A LOOK MORE G5TLE1 MANN]S MORE SIMPLE2 NEV] HAD ,I HE>D MORE W9N+ WORDS4 ,%E RECEIV$ ME ) A GREAT POLIT5ESS ?AT W>M$ MY HE>T4 

0,MY *ILD10 %E SAID TO ME1 0,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR& .<?AT WAS ! NAME ( ! WOMAN :O KEPT ! EMPLOYM5T-BUREAU.> HAS SPOK5 TO ME ( Y\ 9 T]MS ( ! HI<E/ PRAISE4 ,I BELIEVE ?AT Y\ DES]VE IT1 = Y\ HAVE AN 9TELLIG5T FACE1 FRANK & GAY1 :I* PLEASES ME GREATLY4 ,I AM 9 NE$ ( A P]SON WOR?Y ( TRU/ & CAPABLE ( DEVOTION4 ,DEVOTION6 ,AH6 ,I KN[ ?AT ,I AM ASK+ A ?+ ?AT IT IS NOT EASY TO GIVE2 =1 AFT] ALL1 Y\ DO NOT KN[ ME1 & Y\ HAVE NO REASON TO BE DEVOT$ TO ME4 ,LET ME EXPLA9 TO Y\ MY SITUATION4 ,BUT DO NOT REMA9 /&+1 MY *ILD2 COME & SIT D[N BESIDE ME40 

,! MOM5T ,I AM SPOK5 TO G5TLY1 ! MOM5T ?AT ,I AM NOT LOOK$ UPON AS A BE+ \TSIDE ( O!RS & ON ! FR+E ( LIFE1 AS SOME?+ BETWE5 A DOG & A P>ROT1 9 ?AT MOM5T ,I AM T\*$1 & AT ONCE ,I FEEL ! S\L ( MY *ILDHOOD REBORN )9 ME4 ,ALL MY SPITE1 ALL MY HATR$1 ALL MY SPIRIT ( REBELLION1 ,I =GET AS BY A MIRACLE1 & T[>D ! PEOPLE :O SPEAK TO ME 9 A HUMAN FA%ION ,I FEEL NO S5TIM5TS SAVE ?OSE ( SACRIFICE & LOVE4 ,I KN[ ALSO1 FROM EXP]I5CE1 ?AT IT IS ONLY ! UN=TUNATE :O PLACE ! SUFF]+ ( ! HUMBLE ON A FOOT+ ) !IR [N4 ,!RE IS ALWAYS 9SOL5CE & DI/ANCE 9 ! K9DNESS ( ! =TUNATE4 

,:5 ,I HAD TAK5 MY SEAT BESIDE ?IS V5]ABLE LADY 9 M\RN+1 ,I ALREADY LOV$ H]2 ,I REALLY LOV$ H]4 

,%E SI<$3 

0,IT IS NOT A V]Y GAY PLACE ?AT ,I (F] Y\1 MY *ILD40 

,) A S9C]ITY ( 5?USIASM ?AT DID NOT ESCAPE H]1 ,I E>NE/LY PROTE/$3 

0,?AT DOES NOT MATT]1 ,MADAME4 ,ANY?+ ?AT ,MADAME MAY ASK ( ME ,I WILL DO40 

,& IT WAS TRUE4 ,I WAS READY = ANY?+4 

,%E ?ANK$ ME ) A K9D & T5D] LOOK1 & CONT9U$3 

0,WELL1 ?IS IS IT4 ,I HAVE HAD MANY TRIALS 9 MY LIFE4 ,I HAVE LO/ ALL ( MY FAMILY1 ) ! EXCEPTION ( A GR&SON1 :O N[1 HE ALSO1 IS ?REAT5$ ) DEA? FROM ! T]RIBLE DISEASE ( :I* ! O!RS HAVE DI$40 

,FE>+ TO PRON\NCE ! NAME ( ?IS T]RIBLE DISEASE1 %E 9DICAT$ IT TO ME BY PLAC+ UPON H] *E/ H] OLD H&1 GLOV$ 9 BLACK1 & !N1 ) A MORE PA9FUL EXPRESSION1 CONT9U$3 

0,POOR LITTLE FELL[6 ,HE IS A *>M+ *ILD1 AN ADORABLE BE+1 9 :OM ,I HAVE PLAC$ MY LA/ HOPES4 ,=1 :5 HE IS GONE1 ,I %ALL BE ALL ALONE4 ,&1 MY ,GOD6 :AT %ALL ,I DO UPON E>?80 

,H] EYES FILL$ ) TE>S4 ,%E WIP$ !M AWAY ) H] H&K]*IEF1 & W5T ON3 

0,! DOCTORS ASSURE ME ?AT !Y CAN SAVE HIM1--?AT ! DISEASE IS NOT YET DEEP-SEAT$4 ,!Y HAVE PRESCRIB$ A REGIME FROM :I* !Y EXPECT V]Y GOOD RESULTS4 ,EV]Y AFT]NOON ,GEORGES MU/ TAKE A SEA-BA?1 OR1 RA!R1 HE MU/ DIP HIMSELF = A SECOND 9 ! SEA4 ,!N HIS :OLE BODY MU/ BE RUBB$ VIGOR\SLY ) A HAIR-GLOVE1 TO /IMULATE ! CIRCULATION2 !N HE MU/ BE OBLIG$ TO DR9K A GLASS ( OLD PORT2 & !N HE MU/ LIE /RET*$ = AT LEA/ AN H\R 9 A V]Y W>M B$4 ,?AT IS :AT ,I WANT ( Y\ 9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 MY *ILD4 ,BUT UND]/& ME WELL2 :AT ,I SPECIALLY WANT IS Y\?1 GRACE1 GAIETY1 LIFE4 ,9 MY H\SE IT IS !SE ?+S ?AT >E MO/ LACK+4 ,I HAVE TWO V]Y DEVOT$ S]VANTS1 BUT !Y >E OLD & SAD1 & POSSESS$ ( MANIAS4 ,GEORGES CANNOT 5DURE !M4 ,& ,I MYSELF1 ) MY OLD :ITE HEAD & MY P]PETUAL WE>+ ( M\RN+1--,I FEEL ?AT ,I AM AN AFFLICTION TO HIM4 ,&1 :AT IS WORSE /ILL1 ,I FEEL ALSO ?AT ,I (T5 AM UNABLE TO HIDE FROM HIM MY APPREH5SIONS4 ,OH6 ,I KN[ ?AT ?IS1 P]HAPS1 IS NOT EXACTLY ! ROLE = A Y\NG GIRL LIKE Y\1 BESIDE SO Y\NG A BOY AS ,GEORGES2 = HE IS ONLY N9ETE56 ,! WORLD UND\BT$LY WILL F9D SOME?+ TO SAY AB\T IT4 ,BUT ,I C>E NOT = ! WORLD2 ,I C>E ONLY = MY SICK GR&*ILD1 & ,I HAVE CONFID5CE 9 Y\4 ,Y\ >E A GOOD WOMAN1 ,I SUPPOSE80 

0,OH6 YES1 ,MADAME10 ,I CRI$1 C]TA9 9 ADVANCE ( BE+ ! SORT ( SA9T ( :OM ?IS DISCONSOLATE GR&MO!R WAS 9 SE>*1 = ! SALVATION ( H] *ILD4 

0,& HE1 ! POOR LITTLE ONE1 MY ,GOD6 ,9 HIS CONDITION6 ,9 HIS CONDITION1 Y\ SEE1 HE NE$S1 MORE ?AN SEA-BA?S P]HAPS1 ! CONT9UAL COMPANION%IP ( A PRETTY FACE1 A FRE% Y\NG LAU<1 SOME?+ TO DRIVE FROM HIS M9D ! IDEA ( DEA?1 SOME ONE TO GIVE HIM CONFID5CE 9 LIFE4 ,WILL Y\ UND]TAKE IT80 

0,I ACCEPT1 ,MADAME10 ,I ANSW]$1 MOV$ TO ! DEP?S ( MY BE+4 0,& ,MADAME MAY BE SURE ?AT ,I WILL TAKE GOOD C>E ( ,M4 ,GEORGES40 

,IT WAS AGRE$ ?AT ,I %\LD 5T] UPON MY DUTIES ?AT V]Y EV5+1 & ?AT WE %\LD />T ON ! NEXT DAY BUT ONE = ,H\LGATE1 :]E ! LADY 9 M\RN+ HAD R5T$ A BEAUTIFUL VILLA NE> ! BEA*4 

,! GR&MO!R HAD NOT LI$4 ,M4 ,GEORGES WAS A *>M+1 AN ADORABLE *ILD4 ,HIS BE>DLESS FACE HAD ! LOVEL9ESS ( ?AT ( A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN2 WOMANLY ALSO W]E HIS 9DOL5T MOVEM5TS1 & HIS LONG1 :ITE1 SUPPLE H&S1 ?R\< :I* C\LD BE SE5 ! NETWORK ( HIS VE9S4 ,BUT :AT >D5T EYES6 ,PUPILS CONSUM$ BY A DULL FIRE1 B5EA? EYELIDS R+$ ) BLUE1 & SEEM+LY BURN$ BY ! FLAM+ GAZE6 ,:AT AN 9T5SE FOCUS ( ?\<T1 ( PASSION1 ( S5SIBILITY1 ( 9TELLIG5CE1 ( 9N] LIFE6 ,& TO :AT AN EXT5T ALREADY HAD ! R$ FL[]S ( DEA? 9VAD$ HIS *EEKS6 ,IT SEEM$ AS IF IT W]E NOT ( DISEASE1 AS IF IT W]E NOT ( DEA?1 ?AT HE WAS DY+1 BUT ( AN EXCESS ( LIFE1 ( ! FEV] ( LIFE ?AT WAS 9 HIM1 GNAW+ AT HIS ORGANS & WI!R+ HIS FLE%4 ,OH6 H[ PRETTY & H[ PA9FUL A SPECTACLE6 ,:5 HIS GR&MO!R TOOK ME TO HIM1 HE WAS /RET*$ ON A LONG *AIR1 & HOLD+ 9 HIS LONG :ITE H&S AN ODORLESS ROSE4 ,HE RECEIV$ ME1 NOT AS A S]VANT1 BUT ALMO/ AS A FRI5D :OM HE EXPECT$4 ,& FROM ! FIR/ MOM5T ,I BECAME ATTA*$ TO HIM ) ALL ! /R5G? ( MY S\L4 

,\R E/ABLI%M5T AT ,H\LGATE WAS EFFECT$ )\T 9CID5T1 AS \R J\RNEY HAD BE5 ALSO4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS READY1 :5 WE >RIV$4 ,WE HAD ONLY TO TAKE POSSESSION ( ! VILLA1--A ROOMY1 ELEGANT VILLA1 FULL ( LIFE & GAIETY1 & SEP>AT$ FROM ! BEA* BY A BROAD T]RACE COV]$ ) WICK]-*AIRS & T5TS ( MANY COLORS4 ,A /ONE /AIRWAY1 CUT 9 ! EMBANKM5T1 L$ TO ! SEA1 & AGA9/ ITS L[] /EPS S\ND$ ! MUSIC ( ! WAVES :5 ! TIDE WAS COM+ 94 ,M4 ,GEORGES'S ROOM1 ON ! GR\ND FLOOR1 COMM&$ AN ADMIRABLE VIEW ( ! SEA FROM L>GE BAY-W9D[S4 ,MY [N ROOM--NOT ! ROOM ( A S]VANT1 BUT ?AT ( A MA/]--WAS OPPOSITE ,M4 ,GEORGES'S1 ACROSS A PASSAGE-WAY1 & WAS HUNG ) LI<T CRETONNE4 ,FROM ITS W9D[S ONE LOOK$ \T 9TO A LITTLE G>D51 :]E W]E GR[+ SOME SORRY-LOOK+ SP9DLE-TREES & SOME SORRI]-LOOK+ ROSE-BU%ES4 ,TO EXPRESS 9 WORDS MY JOY1 MY PRIDE1 MY EMOTION1 & ! PURE & NEW ELEVATION ( M9D ?AT ,I FELT AT BE+ ?US TREAT$ & PETT$1 ADMITT$1 LIKE A LADY1 TO COM=T1 TO LUXURY1 & TO A %>E 9 ?AT ?+ SO VA9LY COVET$ :I* IS CALL$ ! FAMILY2 TO EXPLA9 H[1 BY A SIMPLE WAVE ( ! W& ( ?AT MIRACUL\S FAIRY1 K9DNESS1 !RE CAME 9/ANTLY AN 5D TO ! RECOLLECTION ( MY PA/ HUMILIATIONS & A CONCEPTION ( ALL ! DUTIES LAID UPON ME BY ! DIGNITY ?AT BELONGS TO A HUMAN BE+1 & AT LA/ V\*SAF$ TO ME1--IS QUITE BEYOND ME4 ,BUT ,I CAN SAY AT LEA/ ?AT ,I REALLY P]CEIV$ ! MAGIC ( ! TRANSFIGURATION4 ,NOT ONLY DID ! MIRROR TE/IFY ?AT ,I HAD SUDD5LY BECOME MORE BEAUTIFUL1 BUT MY HE>T ASSUR$ ME ?AT ,I WAS REALLY BETT]4 ,I DISCOV]$ )9 ME S\RCES1 S\RCES1 S\RCES1--9EXHAU/IBLE S\RCES1 EV]-FL[+ S\RCES1 ( DEVOTION1 ( SACRIFICE1 ( H]OISM2 & ,I HAD BUT ONE ?\<T1--TO SAVE1 BY 9TELLIG5T C>E1 BY WAT*FUL FIDELITY1 & BY M>VEL\S SKILL1--TO SAVE ,M4 ,GEORGES FROM DEA?4 

,) A ROBU/ FAI? 9 MY P[] ( CURE1 ,I SAID 9 POSITIVE TONES TO ! POOR GR&MO!R1 :O WAS 9 A /ATE ( P]PETUAL DESPAIR1 & (T5 SP5T H] DAYS 9 WEEP+ 9 ! ADJO9+ ROOM3 

0,DO NOT WEEP1 ,MADAME4 ,WE WILL SAVE HIM4 ,I SWE> TO Y\ ?AT WE WILL SAVE HIM40 

,&1 9 FACT1 AT ! 5D ( A =TNI<T'S TIME1 ,M4 ,GEORGES WAS MU* IMPROV$4 ,A GREAT *ANGE 9 HIS CONDITION HAD TAK5 PLACE4 ,! FITS ( C\<+ HAD DIM9I%$ 9 NUMB] & 9T5SITY2 HIS SLEEP & APPETITE W]E BECOM+ MORE REGUL>4 ,HE NO LONG] HAD1 9 ! NI<T1 ?OSE COPI\S & T]RIBLE SWEATS ?AT LEFT HIM GASP+ & EXHAU/$ 9 ! MORN+4 ,HIS /R5G? WAS SO F> RECOV]$ ?AT WE C\LD TAKE LONG DRIVES & %ORT WALKS1 )\T S]I\S FATIGUE4 ,IT WAS A SORT ( RESURRECTION4 ,AS ! WEA!R WAS V]Y F9E1 & ! AIR V]Y W>M1 BUT TEMP]$ BY ! SEA-BREEZE1 ON DAYS :5 WE DID NOT LEAVE ! PREMISES WE SP5T MO/ ( ! TIME ON ! T]RACE1 9 ! %ELT] ( ! T5TS1 AWAIT+ ! BA?+ H\R1--! H\R ( 0! LITTLE DIP 9 ! SEA10 AS ,M4 ,GEORGES GAILY CALL$ IT4 ,= HE WAS GAY1 ALWAYS GAY2 NEV] DID HE SPEAK ( HIS ILLNESS1 NEV] ( DEA?4 ,I REALLY BELIEVE ?AT 9 ALL ?OSE DAYS HE NEV] ONCE UTT]$ ! T]RIBLE WORD DEA?4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 HE WAS MU* AMUS$ BY MY *ATT]1 PROVOK+ IT IF NECESS>Y2 & ,I1 CONFID+ 9 HIS EYES1 REASSUR$ BY HIS HE>T1 WON BY HIS 9DULG5CE & HIS GRACE1 TOLD HIM EV]Y?+ ?AT CAME 9TO MY M9D1--F>CES1 FOLLIES1 & SONGS4 ,MY LITTLE *ILDHOOD1 MY LITTLE DESIRES1 MY LITTLE MIS=TUNES1 & MY DREAMS1 & MY REBELLIONS1 & MY V>I\S EXP]I5CES ) LUDICR\S OR 9FAM\S MA/]S1--,I TOLD HIM ALL1 )\T MU* MASK+ ( ! TRU?1 =1 Y\NG ?\< HE WAS1 & SEP>AT$ FROM ! WORLD1 & %UT UP AS HE HAD ALWAYS BE51 HE NEV]!LESS1 BY A SORT ( PRESCI5CE1 BY A M>VEL\S DIV9ATION :I* ! SICK POSSESS1 UND]/OOD LIFE ?OR\<LY4 ,A REAL FRI5D%IP1 ?AT HIS NATURE SURELY FACILITAT$1 & ?AT HIS SOLITUDE CAUS$ HIM TO DESIRE1 &1 ABOVE ALL1 ?AT ! 9TIMATE & CON/ANT C>E ) :I* ,I DELI<T$ HIS POOR MORIBUND FLE% BR\<T AB\T1 SO TO SPEAK1 AUTOMATICALLY1 SPRANG UP BETWE5 US4 ,I WAS HAPPY TO A DEGREE ?AT ,I CANNOT PICTURE1 & MY M9D GA9$ 9 REF9EM5T BY 9CESSANT CONTACT ) HIS4 

,M4 ,GEORGES ADOR$ POETRY4 ,= 5TIRE H\RS1 ON ! T]RACE1 TO ! MUSIC ( ! WAVES1 OR ELSE AT NI<T 9 HIS ROOM1 HE ASK$ ME TO READ HIM ! POEMS ( ,VICTOR ,HUGO1 ( ,BAUDELAIRE1 ( ,V]LA9E1 ( ,MAET]L9CK4 ,(T5 HE CLOS$ HIS EYES1 & LAY MOTIONLESS1 ) HIS H&S FOLD$ ON HIS BREA/1 & ,I1 ?9K+ ?AT HE WAS ASLEEP1 /OPP$ READ+2 BUT HE SMIL$1 & SAID3 

0,GO ON1 LITTLE ONE2 ,I AM NOT ASLEEP4 ,I CAN LI/5 BETT] SO4 ,I HE> Y\R VOICE BETT]4 ,& Y\R VOICE IS *>M+40 

,SOMETIMES IT WAS HE :O 9T]RUPT$ ME4 ,AFT] CONC5TRAT+ HIS ?\<TS1 HE SL[LY RECIT$1 ) A PROLONGATION ( ! RHY?MS1 ! L9ES ?AT HAD EXCIT$ 9 HIM ! GREATE/ 5?USIASM1 & HE TRI$--OH6 H[ ,I LOV$ HIM = ?AT6--TO MAKE ME UND]/& !M1 TO MAKE ME FEEL !IR BEAUTY4 ,ONE DAY HE SAID TO ME1--& ,I HAVE KEPT !SE WORDS AS A RELIC3 

0,! SUBLIMITY ( POETRY1 Y\ SEE1 LIES 9 ! FACT ?AT IT DOES NOT TAKE AN $UCAT$ P]SON TO UND]/& IT & TO LOVE IT4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y4 ,! $UCAT$ DO NOT UND]/& IT1 & G5]ALLY !Y DESPISE IT1 BECAUSE !Y HAVE TOO MU* PRIDE4 ,TO LOVE POETRY IT IS 5\< TO HAVE A S\L1--A LITTLE S\L1 NAK$1 LIKE A FL[]4 ,POETS SPEAK TO ! S\LS ( ! SIMPLE1 ( ! SAD1 ( ! SICK4 ,& ?AT IS :Y !Y >E ET]NAL4 ,DO Y\ KN[ ?AT1 :5 ONE HAS S5SIBILITY1 ONE IS ALWAYS SOME?+ ( A POET8 ,& Y\ Y\RSELF1 LITTLE ,CELE/9E1 HAVE (T5 SAID TO ME ?+S ?AT >E AS BEAUTIFUL AS POETRY40 

0,OH6 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES1 Y\ >E MAK+ FUN ( ME40 

0,NOT 9 ! LEA/4 ,& Y\ >E UNAW>E ?AT Y\ HAVE SAID !SE BEAUTIFUL ?+S4 ,& ?AT IS ! DELI<TFUL P>T ( IT40 

,= ME ?OSE W]E UNIQUE H\RS2 :ATEV] DE/9Y MAY BR+ ME1 !Y WILL S+ 9 MY HE>T AS LONG AS ,I MAY LIVE4 ,I FELT ?AT 9DESCRIBABLY SWEET S5SATION ( BECOM+ A NEW BE+1 ( WITNESS+1 SO TO SPEAK1 FROM M9UTE TO M9UTE1 ! REVELATION ( SOME?+ UNKN[N 9 ME1 & :I* YET WAS ,I4 ,& TO-DAY1 9 SPITE ( WORSE FALLS1 ?OR\<LY RECONQU]$ AS ,I AM BY ALL ?AT IS BAD & EMBITT]$ 9 ME1 IF ,I HAVE KEPT ?IS PASSIONATE FONDNESS = READ+1 & SOMETIMES ?AT IMPULSE T[>D ?+S SUP]IOR TO MY SOCIAL 5VIRONM5T & TO MYSELF2 IF1 TRY+ TO REGA9 CONFID5CE 9 ! SPONTANEITY ( MY NATURE1 ,I HAVE D>$--,I :O AM SO IGNORANT--TO WRITE ?IS DI>Y1--IT IS TO ,M4 ,GEORGES ?AT ,I [E IT4 

,OH6 YES1 ,I WAS HAPPY1--HAPPY ESPECIALLY AT SEE+ ! PRETTY PATI5T GRADUALLY REBORN1 HIS FLE% SWELL+ \T & HIS FACE BLOOM+ AGA91 ?R\< ! FL[ ( A NEW SAP2 HAPPY AT ! JOY1 & ! HOPES1 & ! C]TA9TIES1 ?AT ! RAPIDITY ( ?IS RESURRECTION GAVE TO ! 5TIRE H\SE1 ( :I* ,I WAS N[ ! QUE5 & ! FAIRY4 ,!Y ATTRIBUT$ TO ME1 !Y ATTRIBUT$ TO ! 9TELLIG5CE ( MY C>E1 TO ! VIGILANCE ( MY DEVOTION1 &1 MORE /ILL P]HAPS1 TO MY CON/ANT GAIETY1 TO MY Y\? SO FULL ( *>M1 TO MY SURPRIS+ 9FLU5CE OV] ,GEORGES1 ?IS 9COMP>ABLE MIRACLE4 ,& ! POOR GR&MO!R ?ANK$ ME1 OV]:ELM$ ME ) GRATITUDE & BLESS+S1 & ALSO ) PRES5TS1 LIKE A NURSE TO :OM HAS BE5 CONFID$ A BABY ALMO/ DEAD1 & :O1 ) H] PURE & HEAL?Y MILK1 RECON/RUCTS HIS ORGANS1 BR+S BACK HIS SMILE1 & RE/ORES HIM TO LIFE4 

,SOMETIMES1 =GETFUL ( H] /ATION1 %E TOOK MY H&S1 C>ESS$ !M1 KISS$ !M1 &1 ) TE>S ( JOY1 SAID TO ME3 

0,I KNEW V]Y WELL 444 ,I 444 :5 ,I SAW Y\ 444 ,I KNEW V]Y WELL60 

,& ALREADY PROJECTS W]E BE+ =M$1--J\RNEYS TO ! L& ( SUN%9E1 FIELDS FULL ( ROSES6 

0,Y\ %ALL NEV] LEAVE US2 NEV] MORE1 MY *ILD40 

,H] 5?USIASM (T5 EMB>RASS$ ME1 BUT ,I F9ALLY CAME TO BELIEVE ?AT ,I DES]V$ IT4 ,IF1 AS MANY O!RS W\LD HAVE DONE 9 MY PLACE1 ,I HAD *OS5 TO ABUSE H] G5]OSITY 444 ,OH1 MIS=TUNE6 

,& :AT WAS TO HAPP5 HAPP5$4 

,ON ! DAY ( :I* ,I SPEAK1 ! WEA!R HAD BE5 V]Y W>M1 V]Y HEAVY1 & V]Y ?REAT5+4 ,ACROSS ! SKY1 ABOVE ! LEAD5 & P]FECTLY FLAT SEA1 ROLL$ /IFL+ CL\DS1 ?ICK R$ CL\DS1 ?R\< :I* ! /ORM C\LD NOT BREAK4 ,M4 ,GEORGES HAD NOT GONE \T1 EV5 TO ! T]RACE1 & WE HAD REMA9$ 9 HIS ROOM4 ,MORE N]V\S ?AN USUAL1 A N]V\SNESS DUE UND\BT$LY TO ! ELECTRICITY 9 ! ATMOSPH]E1 HE HAD EV5 REFUS$ TO LET ME READ POETRY TO HIM4 

0,?AT W\LD TIRE ME10 HE SAID4 0,&1 BESIDES1 ,I FEEL ?AT Y\ W\LD READ V]Y BADLY TO-DAY40 

,HE HAD GONE 9TO ! SALON1 :]E HE HAD TRI$ TO PLAY A LITTLE ON ! PIANO4 ,! PIANO HAV+ PLAGU$ HIM1 HE HAD AT ONCE COME BACK 9TO ! ROOM1 :]E HE HAD S\<T TO DIV]T HIMSELF = A MOM5T BY DRAW+1 AS IT SEEM$ TO ME1 SOME FEM99E PR(ILES4 ,BUT HE HAD NOT BE5 SL[ 9 AB&ON+ PAP] & P5CIL1 FUM+ ) SOME IMPATI5CE3 

0,I CANNOT2 ,I AM NOT 9 ! MOOD4 ,MY H& TREMBLES4 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT IS ! MATT] ) ME4 ,& Y\1--!RE IS SOME?+ ! MATT] ) Y\1 TOO4 ,Y\ >E RE/LESS40 

,F9ALLY HE HAD /RET*$ HIMSELF ON HIS LONG *AIR1 NE> ! L>GE BAY-W9D[1 ?R\< :I* ONE C\LD SEE A VA/ EXPANSE ( WAT]4 ,FI%+-BOATS 9 ! DI/ANCE1 FLEE+ FROM ! EV]-?REAT5+ /ORM1 W]E RE5T]+ ! PORT ( ,TR\VILLE4 ,) A DI/RACT$ LOOK HE FOLL[$ !IR MANEUV]S & !IR GRAY SAILS4 

,AS ,M4 ,GEORGES HAD SAID1 ,I WAS RE/LESS2 ,I C\LD NOT KEEP /ILL2 ,I WAS CONT9UALLY MOV+ AB\T1 TO F9D SOME?+ ) :I* TO OCCUPY HIS M9D4 ,( C\RSE ,I F\ND NO?+1 & MY AGITATION DID NOT HAVE A QUIET+ 9FLU5CE ON HIS4 

0,:Y DO Y\ MOVE AB\T SO8 ,:Y DO Y\ 5]VATE Y\RSELF8 ,/AY BESIDE ME40 

,I HAD ASK$ HIM3 

0,W\LD Y\ NOT LIKE TO BE ON ONE ( ?OSE LITTLE BOATS YOND]8 ,I W\LD40 

0,OH6 DO NOT TALK = ! SAKE ( TALK+4 ,:Y SAY USELESS ?+S8 ,/AY BESIDE ME40 

,SC>CELY HAD ,I TAK5 MY SEAT BESIDE HIM1 :51 ! SI<T ( ! SEA BECOM+ UTT]LY UN5DURABLE TO HIM1 HE ASK$ ME TO L[] ! BL9D4 

0,?IS BAD LI<T EXASP]ATES ME2 ?IS SEA IS HORRIBLE4 ,I DO NOT WI% TO LOOK AT IT4 ,EV]Y?+ IS HORRIBLE TO-DAY4 ,I DO NOT WI% TO SEE ANY?+2 ,I WI% TO SEE Y\ ONLY40 

,I HAD G5TLY *ID$ HIM4 

0,OH6 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES1 Y\ >E NOT GOOD4 ,Y\ >E NOT BEHAV+ WELL4 ,IF Y\R GR&MO!R W]E TO COME 9 & SEE Y\ 9 ?IS CONDITION1 Y\ W\LD MAKE H] CRY AGA940 

,HAV+ RAIS$ HIMSELF A LITTLE ON ! CU%IONS3 

0,9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 :Y DO Y\ CALL ME ',MONSIEUR ,GEORGES'8 ,Y\ KN[ ?AT ,I DO NOT LIKE IT40 

0,BUT ,I CANNOT CALL Y\ ',MONSIEUR ,GA/ON'60 

0,CALL ME ',GEORGES' = %ORT1 NAU<TY GIRL40 

0,OH6 ,I C\LD NOT2 ,I C\LD NEV] DO ?AT60 

,!N HE HAD SI<$3 

0,IS IT NOT CURI\S8 ,>E Y\1 !N1 /ILL A POOR LITTLE SLAVE80 

,!N HE HAD LAPS$ 9TO SIL5CE4 ,& ! RE/ ( ! DAY PASS$ (F1 HALF 9 5]VATION1 HALF 9 SIL5CE1 :I* WAS ALSO AN 5]VATION1 & MORE PA9FUL4 

,9 ! EV5+1 AFT] D9N]1 ! /ORM AT LA/ BROKE \T4 ,! W9D BEGAN TO BL[ VIOL5TLY1 ! WAVES TO BEAT AGA9/ ! EMBANKM5T ) A HEAVY SULL5 S\ND4 ,M4 ,GEORGES W\LD NOT GO TO B$4 ,HE FELT ?AT IT W\LD BE IMPOSSIBLE = HIM TO SLEEP1 & 9 A B$ SLEEPLESS NI<TS >E SO LONG6 ,HE ON HIS LONG *AIR1 ,I SITT+ NE> A LITTLE TABLE ON :I*1 VEIL$ BY A %ADE1 WAS BURN+ A LAMP ?AT %$ A S(T1 P9K LI<T AB\T US1 WE SAID NO?+4 ,AL?\< HIS EYES W]E MORE BRILLIANT ?AN USUAL1 ,M4 ,GEORGES SEEM$ CALM]1 & ! P9K REFLECTION FROM ! LAMP HEI<T5$ HIS COLOR1 & \TL9$ MORE CLE>LY 9 ! LI<T ! FEATURES ( HIS DELICATE & *>M+ FACE4 ,I WAS 5GAG$ 9 SEW+4 

,SUDD5LY HE SAID TO ME3 

0,LEAVE Y\R WORK = A LITTLE :ILE1 ,CELE/9E1 & SIT BESIDE ME40 

,I ALWAYS OBEY$ HIS DESIRES1 HIS CAPRICES4 ,AT TIMES HE MANIFE/$ AN EFFUSIVE & 5?USIA/IC FRI5D%IP1 :I* ,I ATTRIBUT$ TO GRATITUDE4 ,?IS TIME ,I OBEY$ AS USUAL4 

0,NE>]1 /ILL NE>]10 HE EXCLAIM$4 

,!N3 

0,N[ GIVE ME Y\R H&40 

,)\T ! SLI<TE/ MI/RU/ ,I ALL[$ HIM TO TAKE MY H&1 :I* HE C>ESS$4 

0,H[ PRETTY Y\R H& IS6 ,& H[ PRETTY Y\R EYES >E6 ,& H[ PRETTY Y\ >E1 ALTOGE!R1 ALTOGE!R1 ALTOGE!R60 

,HE HAD (T5 SPOK5 TO ME ( MY K9DNESS1 BUT NEV] HAD HE TOLD ME ?AT ,I WAS PRETTY2 AT LEA/1 HE HAD NEV] TOLD ME SO ) SU* AN AIR4 ,SURPRIS$ &1 9 REALITY1 *>M$ BY !SE WORDS1 :I* HE UTT]$ 9 A GRAVE & SOME:AT GASP+ VOICE1 ,I 9/9CTIVELY DREW BACK4 

0,NO1 NO1 DO NOT GO AWAY2 /AY NE> ME1 CLOSE TO ME4 ,Y\ CANNOT KN[ H[ MU* GOOD IT DOES ME TO HAVE Y\ NE> ME1 H[ IT W>MS ME4 ,SEE1 ,I AM NO LONG] N]V\S1 AGITAT$2 ,I AM NO LONG] SICK2 ,I AM CONT5T1 HAPPY1 V]Y HAPPY40 

,&1 HAV+ *A/ELY PLAC$ HIS >M AB\T MY WAI/1 HE OBLIG$ ME TO SIT D[N BESIDE HIM ON ! LONG *AIR4 ,& HE ASK$3 

0,>E Y\ UNCOM=TABLE SO80 

,I WAS NOT REASSUR$4 ,9 HIS EYES BURN$ A FIRE MORE >D5T ?AN EV]4 ,HIS VOICE TREMBL$ MORE--) ?AT TREMBL+ :I* ,I KN[1--OH6 YES1 H[ ,I KN[ IT6--?AT TREMBL+ :I* IS GIV5 TO ! VOICE ( ALL M5 BY ! VIOL5T DESIRE ( LOVE4 ,I WAS V]Y MU* MOV$1 & ,I WAS V]Y C[>DLY2 MY HEAD WAS :IRL+ A LITTLE4 ,BUT1 FIRMLY RESOLV$ TO DEF5D MYSELF AGA9/ HIM1 & ESPECIALLY TO 5]GETICALLY DEF5D HIM AGA9/ HIMSELF1 ,I ANSW]$ 9 A *ILDI% WAY3 

0,YES1 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES1 ,I AM V]Y UNCOM=TABLE2 LET ME GET UP40 

,HIS >M DID NOT LEAVE MY WAI/4 

0,NO1 NO1 ,I BEG ( Y\1 BE NICE40 

,& 9 A TONE ! COAX+ G5TL5ESS ( :I* ,I CANNOT DESCRIBE1 HE ADD$3 

0,Y\ >E V]Y TIMID4 ,:AT >E Y\ AFRAID (1 !N80 

,AT ! SAME TIME HE APPROA*$ HIS FACE TO M9E1 & ,I FELT HIS W>M BREA? ) ITS 9SIPID ODOR1--SOME?+ LIKE AN 9C5SE ( DEA?4 

,MY HE>T SEIZ$ ) AN 9EXPRESSIBLE ANGUI%1 ,I CRI$3 

0,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES6 ,OH6 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES1 LET ME GO4 ,Y\ WILL MAKE Y\RSELF SICK4 ,I BEG ( Y\6 ,LET ME GO40 

,I DID NOT D>E TO /RUGGLE1 BECAUSE ( HIS WEAKNESS1 \T ( RESPECT = ! FRAGILITY ( HIS MEMB]S4 ,I SIMPLY TRI$--& H[ C>EFULLY6--TO PUT AWAY HIS H&1 :I*1 AWKW>D1 TIMID1 TREMBL+1 WAS TRY+ TO UNHOOK MY WAI/4 ,& ,I REPEAT$3 

0,LET ME GO6 ,Y\ >E BEHAV+ V]Y BADLY1 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES4 ,LET ME GO60 

,HIS EF=T TO HOLD ME AGA9/ HIM HAD TIR$ HIM4 ,HIS EMBRACE SOON WEAK5$4 ,= A FEW SECONDS HE BREA!D ) GREAT] DIFFICULTY1 & !N A DRY C\< %OOK HIS *E/4 

0,Y\ SEE1 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES10 ,I SAID TO HIM1 ) ALL ! G5TL5ESS ( A MAT]NAL REPROA*1 0Y\ >E WILLFULLY MAK+ Y\RSELF SICK4 ,Y\ WILL LI/5 TO NO?+4 ,& ALL WILL HAVE TO BE BEGUN OV] AGA94 ,GREAT PROGRESS WE %ALL MAKE 9 ?IS WAY6 ,BE GOOD1 ,I BEG ( Y\6 ,&1 IF Y\ W]E V]Y NICE1 DO Y\ KN[ :AT Y\ W\LD DO8 ,Y\ W\LD GO TO B$ DIRECTLY40 

,HE )DREW HIS H&1 /RET*$ \T ON ! LONG *AIR1 &1 AS ,I REPLAC$ B5EA? HIS HEAD ! CU%IONS ?AT HAD SLIPP$ D[N1 HE SADLY SI<$3 

0,AFT] ALL1 Y\ >E RI<T2 ,I ASK Y\R P>DON40 

0,Y\ HAVE NOT TO ASK MY P>DON1 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES2 Y\ HAVE TO BE QUIET40 

0,YES1 YES10 HE EXCLAIM$1 HIS EYES FIX$ ON ! SPOT 9 ! CEIL+ :]E ! LAMP MADE A CIRCLE ( MOV+ LI<T4 0,I WAS A LITTLE MAD 444 TO HAVE DREAM$ = A MOM5T ?AT Y\ C\LD LOVE ME1--ME :O HAVE NEV] HAD LOVE1--ME :O HAVE NEV] HAD ANY?+ BUT SUFF]+4 ,:Y %\LD Y\ LOVE ME8 ,IT W\LD CURE ME TO LOVE Y\4 ,S9CE Y\ HAVE BE5 H]E BESIDE ME1 & S9CE ! BEG9N+ ( MY DESIRE = Y\2 S9CE Y\ HAVE BE5 H]E ) Y\R Y\?1 & Y\R FRE%NESS1 & Y\R EYES1 & Y\R H&S1--Y\R LITTLE SILKY H&S1 :OSE ATT5TIONS >E ! G5TLE/ ( C>ESSES2 S9CE ! TIME ,I BEGAN TO DREAM ( Y\ ALONE1--,I HAVE FELT BOIL+ )9 ME1 9 MY S\L & 9 MY BODY1 NEW VIGOR1 A :OLLY UNKN[N LIFE4 ,?AT IS TO SAY1 ,I DID FEEL ?AT1--= N[ 444 ,9 %ORT1 :AT DO Y\ EXPECT8 ,I WAS MAD6 ,& Y\1 Y\ >E RI<T40 

,I WAS GREATLY EMB>RASS$4 ,I KNEW NOT :AT TO SAY2 ,I KNEW NOT :AT TO DO4 ,P[]FUL & OPPOSITE FEEL+S PULL$ ME 9 ALL DIRECTIONS4 ,AN IMPULSE RU%$ ME T[>D HIM1 A SACR$ DUTY HELD ME BACK4 ,& 9 A SILLY FA%ION1 BECAUSE ,I WAS NOT S9C]E1 BECAUSE ,I C\LD NOT BE S9C]E 9 A /RUGGLE :]E !SE DESIRES & ?IS DUTY COMBAT$ ) EQUAL =CE1 ,I /AMM]$3 

0,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES1 BE GOOD4 ,DO NOT ?9K ( !SE UGLY ?+S4 ,IT MAKES Y\ SICK4 ,COME1 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES1 BE V]Y NICE40 

,BUT HE REPEAT$3 

0,:Y %\LD Y\ LOVE ME8 ,TRULY1 Y\ >E RI<T 9 NOT LOV+ ME4 ,Y\ ?9K ME ILL4 ,Y\ FE> TO POISON Y\R M\? ) ! POISONS ( M9E2 Y\ >E AFRAID ( CONTRACT+ MY DISEASE--! DISEASE ( :I* ,I AM DY+1 AM ,I NOT8--FROM ONE ( MY KISSES4 ,Y\ >E RI<T40 

,! CRUEL 9JU/ICE ( !SE WORDS /RUCK ME TO ! HE>T4 

0,DO NOT SAY ?AT1 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES10 ,I CRI$1 WILDLY2 0:AT Y\ SAY IS HORRIBLE & WICK$4 ,& Y\ REALLY GIVE ME TOO MU* PA91 TOO MU* PA940 

,I SEIZ$ HIS H&S2 !Y W]E MOI/ & BURN+4 ,I B5T OV] HIM2 HIS BREA? HAD ! RAUC\S >DOR ( A =GE4 

0,IT IS HORRIBLE1 HORRIBLE60 

,HE CONT9U$3 

0,A KISS FROM Y\1---:Y6 ?AT MEANT MY RESURRECTION1 MY COMPLETE RE/ORATION TO LIFE4 ,OH6 Y\ HAVE BELIEV$ S]I\SLY 9 Y\R BA?S1 9 Y\R PORT W9E1 9 Y\R HAIR-GLOVE4 ,POOR LITTLE ONE6 ,IT IS 9 Y\R LOVE ?AT ,I HAVE BA!D1 IT IS ! W9E ( Y\R LOVE ?AT ,I HAVE DRUNK1 IT IS ! REVULSION ( Y\R LIFE ?AT HAS SET A NEW BLOOD FL[+ B5EA? MY SK94 ,IT IS BECAUSE ,I HAVE SO HOP$ & LONG$ & WAIT$ = Y\R KISS ?AT ,I HAVE BEGUN TO LIVE AGA91 TO BE /RONG1--= ,I AM /RONG N[4 ,BUT ,I AM NOT ANGRY ) Y\ = REFUS+ ME2 Y\ >E RI<T 9 REFUS+4 ,I UND]/&2 ,I UND]/&4 ,Y\ >E A TIMID LITTLE S\L1 )\T C\RAGE2 A LITTLE BIRD ?AT S+S ON ONE BRAN*1 & !N ON ANO!R1 & FLIES AWAY AT ! SLI<TE/ NOISE 444 FRR\TT60 

0,!SE >E FRI<TFUL ?+S :I* Y\ >E SAY+1 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES40 

,HE /ILL W5T ON1 :ILE ,I WRUNG MY H&S3 

0,:Y >E !Y FRI<TFUL8 ,NO1 9DE$1 !Y >E NOT FRI<TFUL2 !Y >E TRUE4 ,Y\ ?9K ME SICK4 ,Y\ ?9K ?AT ONE IS SICK :5 ONE HAS LOVE4 ,Y\ DO NOT KN[ ?AT LOVE IS LIFE1--ET]NAL LIFE4 ,YES1 YES1 ,I UND]/&1 S9CE Y\R KISS1 :I* IS LIFE = ME1 MI<T1 Y\ FANCY1 BE DEA? = Y\4 ,LET US SAY NO MORE AB\T IT40 

,I C\LD NOT LI/5 FUR!R4 ,WAS IT PITY8 ,WAS IT ! BLE$+ REPROA* & BITT] *ALL5GE ?AT !SE ATROCI\S & SACRILEGI\S WORDS CONVEY$8 ,WAS IT SIMPLY ! IMPULSIVE & SAVAGE LOVE ?AT SUDD5LY TOOK POSSESSION ( ME8 ,I DO NOT KN[4 ,P]HAPS IT WAS ALL ( !SE TOGE!R4 ,:AT ,I KN[ IS ?AT ,I ALL[$ MYSELF TO FALL1 LIKE A MASS1 ON ! LONG *AIR1 & ?AT1 LIFT+ 9 MY H&S ! *ILD'S ADORABLE HEAD1 ,I WILDLY CRI$3 

0,!RE1 NAU<TY BOY1 SEE H[ AFRAID ,I AM ( Y\6 ,SEE1 !N1 H[ AFRAID ,I AM ( Y\60 

,I GLU$ MY LIPS TO HIS LIPS1 ,I PRESS$ MY TEE? AGA9/ HIS1 ) SU* QUIV]+ FURY ?AT MY TONGUE SEEM$ TO P5ETRATE ! DEEPE/ SORES ( HIS *E/1 TO LICK !M1 TO DR9K FROM !M1 TO DRAW \T ( !M ALL ! POISON$ BLOOD & ALL ! MORTAL PUS4 ,HIS >MS OP5$1 & CLOS$ AGA9 AB\T ME1 9 AN EMBRACE4 

,& :AT WAS TO HAPP5 HAPP5$4 

,WELL1 NO4 ,! MORE ,I ?9K AB\T IT1 ! SUR] ,I AM ?AT :AT ?REW ME 9TO ,GEORGES'S >MS1 :AT FA/5$ MY LIPS TO HIS1 WAS1 FIR/ & ONLY1 AN IMP]ATIVE1 SPONTANE\S MOVEM5T ( PROTE/ AGA9/ ! BASE S5TIM5TS ?AT ,GEORGES--?R\< /RATEGY1 P]HAPS--ATTRIBUT$ TO MY REFUSAL4 ,IT WAS1 ABOVE ALL1 AN ACT ( F]V5T1 DIS9T]E/$1 & V]Y PURE PIETY1 :I* MEANT TO SAY3 

0,NO1 ,I DO NOT ?9K ?AT Y\ >E SICK2 NO1 Y\ >E NOT SICK4 ,& ! PRO( IS ?AT ,I DO NOT HESITATE TO M+LE MY BREA? ) Y\RS1 TO BREA! IT1 TO DR9K IT 91 TO IMPREGNATE MY LUNGS ) IT1 TO SATURATE ) IT ALL MY FLE%4 ,&1 EV5 ?\< Y\ W]E REALLY SICK1 EV5 ?\< Y\R DISEASE W]E CONTAGI\S & FATAL TO ANY ONE APPROA*+ IT1 ,I DO NOT WI% Y\ TO 5T]TA9 CONC]N+ ME ?IS MON/R\S IDEA ?AT ,I AM AFRAID ( CONTRACT+ IT1 ( SUFF]+ FROM IT1 & ( DY+ FROM IT40 

,NOR HAD ,I =ESE5 & CALCULAT$ ! 9EVITABLE RESULT ( ?IS KISS1 & ?AT ,I W\LD NOT HAVE ! /R5G?1 ONCE 9 MY FRI5D'S >MS1 ONCE MY LIPS ON HIS1 TO TE> MYSELF FROM ?IS EMBRACE & PUT AWAY ?IS KISS4 ,BUT !RE IT IS1 Y\ SEE6 ,:5 A MAN HOLDS ME 9 HIS >MS1 MY SK9 AT ONCE BEG9S TO BURN1 & MY HEAD TO TURN & TURN4 ,I BECOME DRUNK2 ,I BECOME MAD2 ,I BECOME SAVAGE4 ,I HAVE NO O!R WILL ?AN ?AT ( MY DESIRE4 ,I SEE ONLY HIM2 ,I ?9K ONLY ( HIM2 & ,I SUFF] MYSELF TO BE L$ BY HIM1 DOCILE & T]RIBLE1 EV5 TO CRIME6 

,OH6 ?AT FIR/ KISS ( ,M4 ,GEORGES1 HIS AWKW>D & DELICI\S C>ESSES1 ! PASSIONATE >TLESSNESS ( ALL HIS MOVEM5TS1 & ! WOND]+ EXPRESSION ( HIS EYES 9 PRES5CE ( ! MY/]Y1 AT LA/ UNVEIL$1 ( WOMAN & ( LOVE6 ,BUT1 ! 9TOXICATION PASS$1 :5 ,I SAW ! POOR & FRAGILE *ILD1 PANT+1 ALMO/ SWOON+ 9 MY >MS1 ,I FELT A FRI<TFUL REMORSE1--AT LEA/ ! T]RIFY+ S5SATION ?AT ,I HAD JU/ COMMITT$ A MURD]4 

0,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES6 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES6 ,I HAVE MADE Y\ ILL4 ,OH6 POOR LITTLE ONE60 

,BUT HE1--) :AT FEL9E1 T5D]1 & TRU/+ GRACE1 ) :AT DAZZL$ GRATITUDE1 HE ROLL$ AGA9/ ME1 AS IF 9 SE>* ( PROTECTION4 ,& HE SAID TO ME1 HIS EYES FILL$ ) EC/ASY3 

0,I AM HAPPY4 ,N[ ,I CAN DIE40 

,&1 AS ,I CURS$ MY WEAKNESS 9 MY DESPAIR1 HE REPEAT$3 

0,I AM HAPPY4 ,OH6 /AY ) ME2 DO NOT LEAVE ME4 ,IT SEEMS TO ME1 Y\ SEE1 ?AT1 IF ,I W]E LEFT ALONE1 ,I C\LD NOT 5DURE ! VIOL5CE ( MY HAPP9ESS1 AL?\< IT IS SO SWEET40 

,:ILE ,I WAS HELP+ HIM TO GO TO B$1 HE HAD A FIT ( C\<+4 ,=TUNATELY IT WAS %ORT4 ,BUT1 %ORT ?\< IT WAS1 IT LAC]AT$ MY S\L4 ,AFT] HAV+ RELIEV$ & CUR$ HIM1 WAS ,I GO+ TO KILL HIM N[8 ,I ?\<T ?AT ,I %\LD BE UNABLE TO KEEP ! TE>S BACK4 ,& ,I DETE/$ MYSELF4 

0,IT IS NO?+2 IT IS NO?+10 HE EXCLAIM$1 ) A SMILE2 0Y\ MU/ NOT GRIEVE1 S9CE ,I AM SO HAPPY4 ,& BESIDES1 ,I AM NOT SICK1 ,I AM NOT SICK4 ,Y\ WILL SEE H[ S\NDLY ,I %ALL SLEEP AGA9/ Y\4 ,= ,I WI% TO SLEEP UPON Y\R BREA/1 AS IF ,I W]E Y\R LITTLE *ILD1--MY HEAD UPON Y\R BREA/40 

0,& IF Y\R GR&MO!R %\LD R+ = ME TO-NI<T1 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES80 

0,OH NO6 ,OH NO6 ,GR&MO!R WILL NOT R+4 ,I WI% TO SLEEP AGA9/ Y\40 

,DUR+ ! =TNI<T ?AT FOLL[$ ?AT MEMORABLE NI<T1 ?AT DELICI\S & TRAGIC NI<T1 A SORT ( FURY TOOK POSSESSION ( US1 M+L+ \R KISSES1 \R BODIES1 \R S\LS1 9 AN EMBRACE1 9 AN 5DLESS POSSESSION4 ,WE W]E 9 HA/E TO 5JOY1 9 COMP5SATION = ! LO/ PA/2 WE DESIR$ TO LIVE1 ALMO/ )\T RE/1 ! LOVE ( :I* WE FELT ?AT DEA?1 N[ NE> AT H&1 WAS TO BE ! CLIMAX4 

,A SUDD5 *ANGE HAD TAK5 PLACE 9 ME4 ,9 MY KISS !RE WAS SOME?+ S9I/] & MADLY CRIM9AL4 ,KN[+ ?AT ,I WAS KILL+ ,GEORGES1 ,I WAS FURI\SLY B5T UPON KILL+ MYSELF ALSO1 ( ! SAME JOY & ( ! SAME DISEASE4 ,DELIB]ATELY ,I SACRIFIC$ HIS LIFE & M9E4 ,) A WILD & BITT] EXALTATION ,I BREA!D & DRANK 9 DEA?1 ALL ! DEA?1 FROM HIS M\?2 & ,I BESME>$ MY LIPS ) HIS POISON4 ,ONCE1 :5 HE WAS C\<+1 SEIZ$1 9 MY >MS1 ) A MORE VIOL5T ATTACK ?AN USUAL1 ,I SAW1 FOAM+ ON HIS LIPS1 A HUGE & UNCLEAN CLOT ( BLOOD-/REAK$ PHLEGM4 

0,GIVE6 GIVE6 GIVE60 

,& ,I SWALL[$ ! PHLEGM ) MURD]\S AVIDITY1 AS ,I W\LD HAVE SWALL[$ A LIFE-GIV+ CORDIAL4 

,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES WAS NOT SL[ 9 WA/+ AWAY4 ,HIS CRISES BECAME MORE FREQU5T1 MORE PA9FUL4 ,HE SPAT BLOOD1 & HAD LONG P]IODS ( SWOON+1 DUR+ :I* HE WAS ?\<T TO BE DEAD4 ,HIS BODY GREW ?91 HOLL[1 & EMACIAT$1 UNTIL IT REALLY RESEMBL$ AN ANATOMICAL SPECIM54 ,& ! JOY ?AT HAD REGA9$ POSSESSION ( ! H\SE *ANG$ V]Y SPE$ILY 9TO DISMAL SORR[4 ,! GR&MO!R BEGAN AGA9 TO PASS H] DAYS 9 ! SALON1 CRY+1 PRAY+1 ON ! AL]T = S\NDS1 &1 ) H] E> GLU$ TO ! DOOR ?AT SEP>AT$ H] FROM H] *ILD1 UND]GO+ ! FRI<TFUL & CONT9UAL ANGUI% ( HE>+ A CRY1--A RATTLE1--A SI<1 ! LA/1--! 5D ( EV]Y?+ DE> & /ILL LIV+ ?AT WAS LEFT TO H] H]E BEL[4 ,:5 ,I W5T \T ( ! ROOM1 %E FOLL[$ ME1 /EP BY /EP1 AB\T ! H\SE1 WAIL+3 

0,:Y1 MY ,GOD1 :Y8 ,& :AT !N HAS HAPP5$80 

,%E SAID TO ME ALSO3 

0,Y\ >E KILL+ Y\RSELF1 MY POOR LITTLE ONE4 ,BUT Y\ CANNOT PASS ALL Y\R NI<TS BY ,GEORGES'S SIDE4 ,I AM GO+ TO S5D = A SI/] TO TAKE Y\R PLACE40 

,BUT ,I REFUS$4 ,& %E *]I%$ ME ALL ! MORE = ?IS REFUSAL1 SEEM+ TO ?9K ?AT1 HAV+ ALREADY WORK$ ONE MIRACLE1 ,I C\LD N[ WORK ANO!R4 ,IS IT NOT FRI<TFUL8 ,I WAS H] LA/ HOPE4 

,AS = ! DOCTORS1 SUMMON$ FROM ,P>IS1 !Y W]E A/ONI%$ AT ! PROGRESS ( ! DISEASE1 & ?AT IT HAD WORK$ SU* RAVAGES 9 SO %ORT A TIME4 ,NOT = A MOM5T DID !Y OR ANYONE SUSPECT ! T]RIBLE TRU?4 ,!IR 9T]V5TION WAS CONF9$ TO ! PRESCRIB+ ( QUIET+ POTIONS4 

,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES ALONE REMA9$ GAY1 HAPPY1--/EADILY GAY1 UNALT]ABLY HAPPY4 ,NOT ONLY DID HE NEV] COMPLA91 BUT HIS S\L CONT9UALLY P\R$ ITSELF \T 9 EFFUSIONS ( GRATITUDE4 ,HE SPOKE ONLY TO EXPRESS HIS JOY4 ,SOMETIMES1 AT NI<T1 9 HIS ROOM1 AFT] T]RIBLE CRISES1 HE SAID TO ME3 

0,I AM HAPPY4 ,:Y GRIEVE & WEEP8 ,Y\R TE>S DO SOME?+ TO SPOIL MY JOY1 ! >D5T JOY ) :I* ,I AM FILL$4 ,OH6 ,I ASSURE Y\ ?AT DEA? IS NOT A HI< PRICE TO PAY = ! SUP]HUMAN HAPP9ESS :I* Y\ HAVE GIV5 ME4 ,I WAS LO/2 DEA? WAS 9 ME2 NO?+ C\LD PREV5T IT FROM BE+ 9 ME4 ,Y\ HAVE R5D]$ IT RADIANT & PLEASANT4 ,!N DO NOT WEEP1 DE> LITTLE ONE4 ,I ADORE Y\1 & ,I ?ANK Y\40 

,MY FEV] ( DE/RUCTION HAD 5TIRELY VANI%$ N[4 ,I LIV$ 9 A CONDITION ( FRI<TFUL DISGU/ ) MYSELF1 9 AN UNSPEAKABLE HORROR ( MY CRIME1 ( MY MURD]4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ LEFT ME BUT ! HOPE1 ! CONSOLATION1 OR ! EXCUSE ?AT ,I HAD CONTRACT$ MY FRI5D'S DISEASE1 & W\LD DIE ) HIM1 & AT ! SAME TIME4 

,& :AT WAS TO HAPP5 HAPP5$4 

,WE W]E !N 9 ! MON? ( ,OCTOB]1 PRECISELY ! SIX? ( ,OCTOB]4 ,! AUTUMN HAV+ REMA9$ MILD & W>M ?AT YE>1 ! DOCTORS HAD C\NSEL$ A PROLONGATION ( ! PATI5T'S /AY AT ! SEASIDE1 P5D+ ! TIME :5 HE C\LD BE TAK5 TO ! S\?4 ,ALL DAY LONG1 ON ?AT SIX? ( ,OCTOB]1 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES HAD BE5 QUIET]4 ,I HAD OP5$ WIDE ! L>GE BAY-W9D[ 9 HIS ROOM1 & !RE1 LY+ ON HIS LONG *AIR1 BESIDE ! W9D[1 PROTECT$ FROM ! AIR BY W>M COV]+S1 HE HAD BREA!D = AT LEA/ F\R H\RS1 & DELICI\SLY1 ! IODIC EMANATIONS FROM ! (F+4 ,! LIFE-GIV+ SUN1 ! GOOD SEA ODORS1 ! DES]T$ BEA*1 N[ OCCUPI$ AGA9 BY ! %ELL-FI%]M51 DELI<T$ HIM4 ,NEV] HAD ,I SE5 HIM GAY]4 ,& ?IS GAIETY ON HIS EMACIAT$ FACE1 :]E ! SK91 GR[+ ?9N] FROM WEEK TO WEEK1 COV]$ ! BONES LIKE A TRANSP>5T FILM1 HAD SOME?+ FUN]EAL AB\T IT1 & SO PA9FUL TO WITNESS ?AT SEV]AL TIMES ,I HAD TO LEAVE ! ROOM 9 ORD] TO WEEP FREELY4 ,HE REFUS$ TO LET ME READ POETRY TO HIM4 ,:5 ,I OP5$ ! BOOK1 HE SAID3 

0,NO2 Y\ >E MY POEM2 Y\ >E ALL MY POEMS1 & F> ! MO/ BEAUTIFUL ( ALL40 

,HE WAS =BIDD5 TO TALK4 ,! SLI<TE/ CONV]SATION FATIGU$ HIM1 & (T5 BR\<T ON A FIT ( C\<+4 ,MOREOV]1 HE HAD H>DLY /R5G? 5\< TO TALK4 ,:AT WAS LEFT TO HIM ( LIFE1 ( ?\<T1 ( WILL TO EXPRESS1 ( S5SIBILITY1 WAS CONC5TRAT$ 9 HIS GAZE1 :I* HAD BECOME A GL[+ FIREPLACE1 9 :I* ! S\L CONT9UALLY K9DL$ A FLAME ( SURPRIS+ & SUP]NATURAL 9T5SITY4 ,?AT EV5+1 ! EV5+ ( ! SIX? ( ,OCTOB]1 HE SEEM$ NO LONG] TO BE SUFF]+4 ,OH6 ,I SEE HIM /ILL1 /RET*$ UPON HIS B$1 HIS HEAD HI< UPON HIS PILL[1 HIS LONG ?9 H&S PLAY+ TRANQUILLY ) ! BLUE FR+E ( ! CURTA91 HIS LIPS SMIL+ AT ME1 & HIS EYES1 :I*1 9 ! %ADE ( ! B$1 %ONE & BURN$ LIKE A LAMP1 FOLL[+ ALL MY GO+S & COM+S4 

,!Y HAD PLAC$ A C\* 9 ! ROOM = ME1 A NURSE'S C\* &--OH6 IRONY1 9 ORD] D\BTLESS TO SP>E HIS MODE/Y & M9E--A SCRE5 BEH9D :I* ,I C\LD1 UNDRESS4 ,BUT (T5 ,I DID NOT LIE UPON ! C\*2 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES WANT$ ME ALWAYS BY HIS SIDE4 ,HE WAS REALLY COM=TABLE1 REALLY HAPPY1 ONLY :5 ,I WAS NE> HIM4 

,AFT] HAV+ SLEPT TWO H\RS1 ALMO/ PEACEFULLY1 HE AWOKE T[>D MIDNI<T4 ,HE WAS A LITTLE FEV]I%2 ! SPOTS AT ! PO9TS ( HIS *EEK-BONES W]E A LITTLE R$D]4 ,SEE+ ME SITT+ AT ! HEAD ( HIS B$1 MY *EEKS DAMP ) TE>S1 HE SAID TO ME1 9 A TONE ( G5TLE REPROA*3 

0,:AT1 WEEP+ AGA98 ,Y\ WI%1 !N1 TO MAKE ME SAD1 & TO GIVE ME PA98 ,:Y DO Y\ NOT LIE D[N8 ,COME & LIE D[N BESIDE ME40 

,I CRI$1 %AK5 BY SOBS3 

0,AH6 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES1 DO Y\ WI% ME1 !N1 TO KILL Y\8 ,DO Y\ WI% ME TO SUFF] ALL MY LIFE FROM REMORSE AT HAV+ KILL$ Y\80 

,ALL MY LIFE6 ,I HAD ALREADY =GOTT5 ?AT ,I WANT$ TO DIE ) HIM1 TO DIE ( HIM1 TO DIE AS HE DI$4 

0,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES6 ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES6 ,HAVE PITY ON ME1 ,I IMPLORE Y\60 

,BUT HIS LIPS W]E ON MY LIPS4 ,DEA? WAS ON MY LIPS4 

0,BE /ILL60 HE EXCLAIM$1 GASP+4 0,I HAVE NEV] LOV$ Y\ SO MU* AS TO-NI<T40 

,SUDD5LY HIS >MS RELAX$ & FELL BACK1 9]T1 UPON ! B$2 HIS LIPS AB&ON$ M9E4 ,& FROM HIS M\?1 TURN$ UPW>D1 !RE CAME A CRY ( DI/RESS1 & !N A FL[ ( HOT BLOOD ?AT SPATT]$ MY FACE4 ,) A B\ND ,I WAS \T ( B$4 ,A MIRROR OPPOSITE REVEAL$ MY IMAGE1 R$ & BLOODY4 ,I WAS MAD1 &1 RUNN+ AB\T ! ROOM 9 BEWILD]M5T1 IT WAS MY IMPULSE TO CALL = AID4 ,BUT ! 9/9CT ( SELF-PRES]VATION1 ! FE> ( RESPONSIBILITIES1 ( ! REVELATION ( MY CRIME1 & ,I KN[ NOT :AT ELSE ?AT WAS C[>DLY & CALCULAT+1 CLOS$ MY M\?1 & HELD ME BACK AT ! $GE ( ! ABYSS OV] :I* MY REASON WAS TOTT]+4 ,V]Y CLE>LY & V]Y SPE$ILY ,I REALIZ$ ?AT IT W\LD NOT DO = ANY ONE TO 5T] ! ROOM 9 ITS PRES5T CONDITION4 

,O HUMAN MIS]Y6 ,!RE WAS SOME?+ MORE SPONTANE\S ?AN MY GRIEF1 MORE P[]FUL ?AN MY FE>2 IT WAS MY IGNOBLE PRUD5CE & MY BASE CALCULATIONS4 ,9 MY T]ROR ,I HAD ! PRES5CE ( M9D TO OP5 ! DOOR ( ! SALON1 & !N ! DOOR ( ! ANTE-ROOM1 & LI/54 ,NOT A S\ND4 ,EV]YBODY 9 ! H\SE WAS ASLEEP4 ,!N ,I RETURN$ TO ! B$SIDE4 ,I RAIS$ ,GEORGES'S BODY1 AS LI<T AS A FEA!R1 9 MY >MS4 ,I LIFT$ UP HIS HEAD1 MA9TA9+ IT 9 AN UPRI<T POSITION 9 MY H&S4 ,! BLOOD CONT9U$ TO FL[ FROM HIS M\? 9 PIT*Y FILAM5TS2 ,I HE>D HIS *E/ DIS*>G+ ITSELF ?R\< HIS ?ROAT1 ) ! S\ND ( AN EMPTY+ BOTTLE4 ,HIS EYES1 TURN$ UP1 %[$ NO?+ BUT !IR R$DI% GLOBES BETWE5 ! SWOLL5 EYELIDS4 

0,GEORGES6 ,GEORGES6 ,GEORGES60 

,GEORGES DID NOT ANSW] !SE CALLS & CRIES4 ,HE DID NOT HE> !M4 ,HE HE>D NO?+ MORE ( ! CRIES & CALLS ( E>?4 

0,GEORGES6 ,GEORGES6 ,GEORGES60 

,I LET GO HIS BODY2 HIS BODY SANK UPON ! B$4 ,I LET GO HIS HEAD2 HIS HEAD FELL BACK HEAVILY UPON ! PILL[4 ,I PLAC$ MY H& UPON HIS HE>T2 HIS HE>T HAD CEAS$ TO BEAT4 

0,GEORGES6 ,GEORGES6 ,GEORGES60 

,! HORROR ( ?IS SIL5CE1 ( !SE MUTE LIPS1 ( ?IS CORPSE R$ & MOTIONLESS1 & ( MYSELF1 WAS TOO MU* = ME4 ,&1 CRU%$ ) GRIEF1 CRU%$ ) ! FRI<TFUL NECESSITY ( RE/RA9+ MY GRIEF1 ,I FELL TO ! FLOOR 9 A SWOON4 

,H[ MANY M9UTES DID ?IS SWOON LA/1 OR H[ MANY C5TURIES8 ,I DO NOT KN[4 ,ON RECOV]+ CONSCI\SNESS1 ONE TORTUR+ ?\<T DOM9AT$ ALL O!RS1--?AT ( REMOV+ EV]Y ACCUS+ SIGN4 ,I WA%$ MY FACE1 ,I R$RESS$ MYSELF1 &--YES1 ,I HAD ! FRI<TFUL C\RAGE1--,I PUT ! B$ & ! ROOM TO RI<TS4 ,&1 :5 ?AT WAS DONE1 ,I AWOKE ! H\SE2 ,I CRI$ ! T]RIBLE NEWS ?R\< ! H\SE4 

,OH6 ?AT NI<T6 ,?AT NI<T ,I SUFF]$ ALL ! TORTURES ?AT HELL CONTA9S4 

,& ?IS NI<T H]E AT ! ,PRIORY REM9DS ME ( IT4 ,! /ORM IS RAG+1 AS IT RAG$ !RE ! NI<T :5 ,I BEGAN MY WORK ( DE/RUCTION ON ?AT POOR FLE%4 ,& ! RO>+ ( ! W9D ?R\< ! TREES 9 ! G>D5 S\NDS TO ME LIKE ! RO>+ ( ! SEA AGA9/ ! EMBANKM5T ( ! =EV]-CURS$ ,H\LGATE VILLA4 

,UPON \R RETURN TO ,P>IS1 AFT] ,M4 ,GEORGES'S FUN]AL1 ,I DID NOT WI% TO REMA9 9 ! POOR GR&MO!R'S S]VICE1 9 SPITE ( H] REPEAT$ 5TREATIES4 ,I WAS 9 A HURRY TO GO AWAY1 ?AT ,I MI<T SEE NO MORE ( ?AT TE>FUL FACE1--?AT ,I MI<T NO LONG] HE> ! SOBS ?AT LAC]AT$ MY HE>T4 ,&1 ABOVE ALL1 ,I WAS 9 A HURRY TO GET AWAY FROM H] GRATITUDE1 FROM ! NECESSITY :I* %E FELT1 9 H] DOT+ DI/RESS1 ( CONT9UALLY ?ANK+ ME = MY DEVOTION1 = MY H]OISM1 ( CALL+ ME H] 0DAU<T]1 H] DE> LITTLE DAU<T]10 & ( EMBRAC+ ME ) MADLY EFFUSIVE T5D]NESS4 ,MANY TIMES DUR+ ! =TNI<T 9 :I* ,I CONS5T$ TO CALL UPON H]1 9 OB$I5CE TO H] REQUE/1 ,I HAD AN 9T5SE DESIRE TO CONFESS1 TO ACCUSE MYSELF1 TO TELL H] EV]Y?+ ?AT WAS LY+ SO HEAVILY ON MY S\L & (T5 /IFL+ ME4 ,BUT :AT W\LD HAVE BE5 ! USE8 ,W\LD IT HAVE GIV5 H] ANY RELIEF :ATEV]8 ,IT W\LD SIMPLY HAVE ADD$ A MORE BITT] AFFLICTION TO H] O!R AFFLICTIONS1 & ! HORRIBLE ?\<T & ! 9EXPIABLE REMORSE ?AT1 BUT = ME1 H] DE> *ILD P]HAPS W\LD NOT BE DEAD4 ,& !N1 ,I MU/ CONFESS ?AT ,I HAD NOT ! C\RAGE4 ,I LEFT H] H\SE ) MY SECRET1 WOR%IP$ BY H] AS IF ,I W]E A SA9T1 OV]:ELM$ ) RI* PRES5TS & ) LOVE4 

,N[1 ON ! V]Y DAY ( MY DEP>TURE1 AS ,I WAS COM+ BACK FROM ,MME4 ,PAULHAT-,DUR&'S EMPLOYM5T-BUREAU1 ,I MET 9 ! ,*AMPS-,ELYSEES A =M] COMRADE1 A VALET1 ) :OM ,I HAD S]V$ = SIX MON?S 9 ! SAME H\SE4 ,IT WAS FULLY TWO YE>S S9CE ,I HAD SE5 HIM4 ,AFT] \R FIR/ GREET+S1 ,I LE>N$ ?AT HE1 AS WELL AS ,I1 WAS LOOK+ = A PLACE4 ,ONLY1 HAV+ = ! MOM5T SOME NICKEL-PLAT$ EXTRA JOBS1 HE WAS 9 NO HURRY TO F9D ONE4 

0,?IS JOLLY ,CELE/9E60 HE EXCLAIM$1 HAPPY AT SEE+ ME AGA92 0AS A/ONI%+ AS EV]60 

,HE WAS A GOOD FELL[1 GAY1 FULL ( FUN1 & FOND ( A GOOD TIME4 ,HE PROPOS$3 

0,SUPPOSE WE D9E TOGE!R1 EH80 

,I NE$$ TO DIV]T MYSELF1 TO DRIVE F> AWAY FROM ME A MULTITUDE ( SAD IMAGES1 A MULTITUDE ( OBSESS+ ?\<TS4 ,I ACCEPT$4 

0,GOOD60 HE EXCLAIM$4 

,HE TOOK MY >M1 & L$ ME TO A W9E-%OP 9 ! ,RUE ,CAMBON4 ,HIS HEAVY GAIETY1 HIS CO>SE JOKES1 HIS VULG> OBSC5ITY1 ,I KE5LY APPRECIAT$4 ,!Y DID NOT %OCK ME4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y1 ,I FELT A C]TA9 RASCALLY JOY1 A SORT ( CRAPUL\S SECURITY1 AS IF ,I W]E RESUM+ A LO/ HABIT4 ,TO TELL ! TRU?1 ,I RECOGNIZ$ MYSELF1 ,I RECOGNIZ$ MY [N LIFE & MY [N S\L 9 ?OSE DISSIPAT$ EYELIDS1 9 ?AT SMOO? FACE1 9 ?OSE %AV5 LIPS1 :I* BETRAY ! SAME S]VILE GRIMACE1 ! SAME FURR[ ( FALSEHOOD1 ! SAME TA/E = PASSIONAL FIL?1 9 ! ACTOR1 ! JUDGE1 & ! VALET4 

,AFT] D9N] WE /ROLL$ = A TIME ON ! B\LEV>DS2 !N HE TOOK ME TO SEE A C9EMATOGRAPH EXHIBITION4 ,MY WILL WAS A LITTLE WEAK FROM HAV+ DRUNK TOO MU* ,SAUMUR W9E4 ,9 ! D>KNESS ( ! HALL1 AS ! ,FR5* >MY WAS M>*+ ACROSS ! ILLUM9AT$ SCRE5 AMID ! APPLAUSE ( ! SPECTATORS1 HE CAU<T ME AB\T ! WAI/1 & IMPR9T$ A KISS UPON ! BACK ( MY NECK :I* CAME NE> LOOS5+ MY HAIR4 

0,Y\ >E A/ONI%+60 HE :ISP]$4 0,OH6 H[ GOOD Y\ SMELL60 

,HE ACCOMPANI$ ME TO MY HOTEL1 & WE /OOD = A FEW M9UTES ON ! SIDEWALK1 SIL5T & A LITTLE /UPID4 ,HE WAS TAPP+ HIS %OES ) ! 5D ( HIS CANE2 ,I1 ) HEAD L[]$1 MY ELB[S PRESS$ CLOSELY AGA9/ MY BODY1 & MY H&S 9 MY MUFF1 WAS CRU%+ A BIT ( ORANGE-PEEL B5EA? MY FEET4 

0,WELL1 AU REVOIR60 ,I SAID TO HIM4 

0,OH6 NO10 HE EXCLAIM$1 0LET ME GO UP ) Y\4 ,COME1 ,CELE/9E40 

,I DEF5D$ MYSELF1 9 AN UNC]TA9 FA%ION1 = ! SAKE ( =M4 ,HE 9SI/$4 

0,COME1 :AT IS ! MATT] ) Y\8 ,HE>T TR\BLES8 ,N[ IS ! V]Y TIME44440 

,HE FOLL[$ ME4 ,9 ?IS HOTEL !Y DID NOT LOOK TOO CLOSELY AT ! GUE/S :O RETURN$ AT NI<T4 ,) ITS D>K & N>R[ /AIRCASE1 ITS SLIMY BANI/]1 ITS VILE ATMOSPH]E1 ITS FETID ODORS1 IT SEEM$ LIKE A H\SE = ! ACCOMMODATION ( TRANSI5TS & CUT-?ROATS4 ,MY COMPANION C\<$1 TO GIVE HIMSELF ASSURANCE4 ,& ,I1 ) MY S\L FULL ( DISGU/1 REFLECT$3 

0,OH6 9DE$6 ?IS IS NOT EQUAL TO ! ,H\LGATE VILLAS OR TO ! W>M & RI*LY-ADORN$ MANSIONS 9 ! ,RUE ,L9COLN40 

,:AT A HUSSY ONE IS SOMETIMES6 ,OH1 MIS]Y ME6 

,& MY LIFE BEGAN AGA91 ) ITS UPS & D[NS1 ITS *ANGES ( FRONT1 ITS LIAISONS AS QUICKLY 5D$ AS BEGUN1 & ITS SUDD5 LEAPS FROM OPUL5T 9T]IORS 9TO ! /REET1 JU/ AS ( OLD4 

,S+UL> ?+6 ,I1 :O 9 MY AMOR\S EXALTATION1 MY >D5T ?IR/ = SACRIFICE1 HAD S9C]ELY & PASSIONATELY WI%$ TO DIE1 WAS HAUNT$ = LONG MON?S BY ! FE> ( HAV+ CONTRACT$ ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES'S DISEASE FROM HIS KISSES4 ,! SLI<TE/ 9DISPOSITION1 ! MO/ FLEET+ PA91 FILL$ ME ) REAL T]ROR4 ,(T5 AT NI<T ,I AWOKE ) MAD FRI<TS & ICY SWEATS4 ,I FELT ( MY *E/1 :]E1 BY SUGGE/ION1 ,I SUFF]$ FROM PA9S & LAC]ATIONS2 ,I EXAM9$ ! DIS*>GES FROM MY ?ROAT1 9 :I* ,I SAW R$ /REAKS2 & ,I GAVE MYSELF A FEV]1 BY FREQU5T C\NT+ ( MY PULSE4 ,IT SEEM$ TO ME1 AS ,I LOOK$ 9 ! GLASS1 ?AT MY EYES W]E GR[+ HOLL[1 & ?AT MY *EEKS W]E GR[+ P9K]1 ) ?AT MORTAL P9K ?AT COLOR$ ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES'S FACE4 ,ONE NI<T1 AS ,I WAS LEAV+ A PUBLIC BALL1 ,I TOOK COLD1 & ,I C\<$ = A WEEK4 ,I ?\<T ?AT IT WAS ALL OV] ) ME4 ,I COV]$ MY BACK ) PLA/]S1 & SWALL[$ ALL SORTS ( QUE] M$IC9ES2 ,I EV5 S5T A PI\S (F]+ TO ,SA9T ,AN?ONY ( ,PADUA4 ,!N1 AS1 9 SPITE ( MY FE>1 MY HEAL? REMA9$ GOOD1 %[+ ?AT ,I HAD EQUAL P[] TO 5DURE ! FATIGUES ( TOIL & ( PLEASURE1 IT ALL PASS$ AWAY4 

,LA/ YE>1 ON ! SIX? ( ,OCTOB]1 ,I W5T TO LAY FL[]S ON ,M4 ,GEORGES'S GRAVE1 AS ,I HAD DONE EV]Y YE> :5 ?AT SAD DATE CAME R\ND4 ,HE WAS BURI$ 9 ! ,MONTM>TRE CEMET]Y4 ,9 ! MA9 PA? ,I SAW1 A FEW /EPS AHEAD ( ME1 ! POOR GR&MO!R4 ,OH6 H[ OLD %E WAS1 & H[ OLD ALSO W]E ! TWO OLD S]VANTS :O ACCOMPANI$ H]6 ,>*$1 B5T1 TOTT]+1 %E WALK$ HEAVILY1 SU/A9$ AT ! >M-PITS BY H] TWO OLD S]VANTS1 AS >*$1 AS B5T1 AS TOTT]+1 AS !IR MI/RESS4 ,A PORT] FOLL[$ !M1 C>RY+ A L>GE BUN* ( R$ & :ITE ROSES4 ,I SLACK5$ MY PACE1 NOT WI%+ TO PASS !M & BE RECOGNIZ$4 ,HIDD5 BEH9D ! WALL ( A HI< MONUM5T1 ,I WAIT$ UNTIL ! POOR & SORR[FUL OLD WOMAN HAD PLAC$ H] FL[]S1 TOLD H] BEADS1 & DROPP$ H] TE>S UPON H] GR&SON'S GRAVE4 ,!Y CAME BACK ) ! SAME FEEBLE /EPS1 ?R\< ! SMALL] PA?1 BRU%+ AGA9/ ! WALL ( ! VAULT ON ! O!R SIDE ( :I* ,I WAS HID+4 ,I CONCEAL$ MYSELF /ILL MORE1 ?AT ,I MI<T NOT SEE !M1 = IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT IT WAS MY REMORSE1 ! PHANTOMS ( MY REMORSE1 ?AT W]E FIL+ BY ME4 ,W\LD %E HAVE RECOGNIZ$ ME8 ,AH6 ,I DO NOT ?9K SO4 ,!Y WALK$ )\T LOOK+ AT ANY?+1 )\T SEE+ EV5 ! GR\ND AB\T !M4 ,!IR EYES HAD ! FIXITY ( ! EYES ( ! BL9D2 !IR LIPS MOV$ & MOV$1 & NOT A WORD CAME FROM !M4 ,ONE W\LD HAVE SAID ?AT !Y W]E ?REE OLD DEAD S\LS1 LO/ 9 ! LABYR9? ( ! CEMET]Y1 & LOOK+ = !IR GRAVES4 ,I SAW AGA9 ?AT TRAGIC NI<T1 & MY R$ FACE1 & ! BLOOD FL[+ FROM ,GEORGES'S M\?4 ,IT S5T A %IV] TO MY HE>T4 ,AT LA/ !Y DISAPPE>$4 

,:]E >E !Y TO-DAY1 ?OSE ?REE LAM5TABLE %ADES8 ,P]HAPS !Y >E A LITTLE MORE DEAD2 P]HAPS !Y >E DEAD QUITE4 ,AFT] HAV+ W&]$ ON = DAYS & NI<TS1 P]HAPS !Y HAVE F\ND ! HOLE ( SIL5CE & ( RE/ ( :I* !Y W]E 9 SE>*4 

,ALL ! SAME1 IT IS A QUE] IDEA ?AT ! UN=TUNATE GR&MO!R HAD1 9 *OOS+ ME AS A NURSE = A Y\NG & PRETTY BOY LIKE ,MONSIEUR ,GEORGES4 ,& REALLY1 :5 ,I ?9K ( ! MATT] AGA91 & REALIZE ?AT %E NEV] SUSPECT$ ANY?+1 ?AT %E NEV] SAW ANY?+1 ?AT %E NEV] UND]/OOD ANY?+1 ?IS SEEMS TO ME ! MO/ A/ONI%+ FEATURE ( ! MATT]4 ,AH6 ONE CAN SAY IT N[2 !Y W]E NOT V]Y %>P1 ! ?REE ( !M4 ,!Y HAD AN ABUNDANCE ( CONFID5CE4 

,I HAVE SE5 ,CAPTA9 ,MAUG] AGA91 OV] ! H$GE4 ,CR\*+ BE=E A FRE%LY-DUG B$1 HE WAS TRANSPLANT+ PANSIES & GILLY-FL[]S4 ,AS SOON AS HE SAW ME1 HE LEFT HIS WORK1 & CAME TO ! H$GE TO TALK4 ,HE IS NO LONG] ANGRY ) ME = ! MURD] ( HIS F]RET4 ,HE EV5 SEEMS V]Y GAY4 ,BUR/+ ) LAU<T]1 HE CONFIDES TO ME ?AT ?IS MORN+ HE HAS WRUNG ! NECK ( ! ,LANLAIRES' :ITE CAT4 ,PROBABLY ! CAT AV5GES ! F]RET4 

0,IT IS ! T5? ?AT ,I HAVE G5TLY KILL$ = !M10 HE CRIES1 ) F]OCI\S JOY1 SLAPP+ HIS ?I<1 & !N RUBB+ HIS GRIMY H&S4 0,AH6 ! DIRTY ?+ WILL SCRAT* NO MORE COMPO/ FROM MY G>D5-FRAMES2 IT WILL NO LONG] RAVAGE MY SE$-PLOTS1 ! CAMEL6 ,&1 IF ,I C\LD ALSO WR+ ! NECKS ( Y\R ,LANLAIRE & HIS FEMALE6 ,OH6 ! PIGS6 ,OH6 OH6 OH6 ?AT'S AN IDEA40 

,?IS IDEA MAKES HIM TWI/ ) LAU<T] = A MOM5T4 ,& SUDD5LY1 HIS EYES SP>KL+ ) A /EAL?Y MALICE1 HE ASKS3 

0,:Y DON'T Y\ PUT SOME SM>T-WE$ 9 !IR B$8 ,! DIRTY CREATURES6 ,OH6 ,I W\LD GIVE Y\ A PACKAGE ( IT = ! PURPOSE4 ,?AT'S AN IDEA60 

,!N3 

0,BY ! WAY1 Y\ KN[8 ,KLEB]8 MY LITTLE F]RET80 

0,YES4 ,WELL80 

0,WELL1 ,I ATE HIM4 ,ALAS6 ALAS60 

0,HE WAS NOT V]Y GOOD1 WAS HE80 

0,ALAS6 HE TA/$ LIKE BAD RABBIT40 

,& ?AT WAS ALL ! FUN]AL S]MON ?AT ! POOR ANIMAL GOT4 

,! CAPTA9 TELLS ME ALSO ?AT A WEEK OR TWO AGO HE CAU<T A H$GE-HOG UND] A WOOD-PILE4 ,HE IS 5GAG$ 9 TAM+ HIM4 ,HE CALLS HIM ,B\RBAKI4 ,AH6 ?AT'S AN IDEA6 ,AN 9TELLIG5T1 COMICAL1 EXTRAORD9>Y BEA/ ?AT EATS EV]Y?+6 

0,YES1 9DE$60 HE EXCLAIMS4 0,9 ! SAME DAY ?IS CONF\ND$ H$GE-HOG HAS EAT5 BEEF/EAK1 MUTTON /EW1 SALT BACON1 GRUY]E *EESE1 & PRES]VES4 ,HE IS A/ONI%+4 ,IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SATISFY HIM4 ,HE IS LIKE ME2 HE EATS EV]Y?+60 

,JU/ !N ! LITTLE DOME/IC PASSES ! PA?1 ) A :EELB>R[ FULL ( /ONES1 OLD S>D9E-BOXES1 & A HEAP ( DEBRIS1 :I* HE IS C>RY+ TO ! REFUSE-HEAP4 

0,COME H]E60 CALLS ! CAPTA94 

,&1 AS1 9 ANSW] TO HIS QUE/ION1 ,I TELL HIM ?AT ,MONSIEUR HAS GONE HUNT+1 ?AT ,MADAME HAS GONE TO T[N1 & ?AT ,JOSEPH HAS GONE ON AN ]R&1 HE TAKES FROM ! :EELB>R[ EA* ( ! /ONES1 EA* BIT ( ! DEBRIS1 &1 ONE AFT] ANO!R1 ?R[S !M 9TO ! G>D51 CRY+ 9 A L\D VOICE3 

0,!RE1 PIG6 ,TAKE ?AT1 Y\ WRET*60 

,! /ONES FLY1 ! BITS ( DEBRIS FALL UPON A FRE%LY-WORK$ B$1 :]E ,JOSEPH ! DAY BE=E HAD PLANT$ PEAS4 

0,TAKE ?AT6 ,& ?IS1 TOO6 ,& H]E IS ANO!R1 9 ! B>GA960 

,! B$1 SOON COV]$ ) DEBRIS1 BECOMES A CONFUS$ HEAP4 ,! CAPTA9'S JOY F9DS EXPRESSION 9 A SORT ( HOOT+ & DISORD]LY GE/URES4 ,!N1 TURN+ UP HIS OLD GRAY MU/A*E1 HE SAYS TO ME1 ) A TRIUMPHANT & RAKI% AIR3 

0,MADEMOISELLE ,CELE/9E1 Y\ >E A F9E GIRL1 = SURE6 ,Y\ MU/ COME & SEE ME1 :5 ,ROSE IS NO LONG] H]E1 EH8 ,AH6 ?AT'S AN IDEA60 

,WELL1 9DE$6 ,HE HAS NO *EEK6 

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

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

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/