,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #a 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS 

,TEXT 3 

,P>T ,ONE 

,I 

,M,O,!,R DI$ TODAY4 ,OR1 MAYBE1 YE/]DAY2 ,I CAN'T BE SURE4 ,! TELEGRAM FROM ! 
,HOME SAYS3 ,Y,\,R ,M,O,!,R ,P,A,S,S,$ ,A,W,A,Y4 ,F,U,N,],A,L ,T,O,M,O,R,R,[4 ,D,E,E,P 
,S,Y,M,P,A,?,Y4 ,:I* LEAVES ! MATT] D\BTFUL2 IT C\LD HAVE BE5 YE/]DAY4 

,! ,HOME = ,AG$ ,P]SONS IS AT ,M>5GO1 SOME FIFTY MILES FROM ,ALGI]S4 ,) 
! TWO O'CLOCK BUS ,I %\LD GET !RE WELL BE=E NI<TFALL4 ,!N ,I CAN SP5D ! 
NI<T !RE1 KEEP+ ! USUAL VIGIL BESIDE ! BODY1 & BE BACK H]E BY TOMORR[ 
EV5+4 ,I HAVE FIX$ UP ) MY EMPLOY] = TWO DAYS' LEAVE2 OBVI\SLY1 UND] ! 
CIRCUM/ANCES1 HE C\LDN'T REFUSE4 ,/ILL1 ,I HAD AN IDEA HE LOOK$ ANNOY$1 & ,I SAID1 
)\T ?9K+3 0,SORRY1 SIR1 BUT IT'S NOT MY FAULT1 Y\ KN[40 

,AFT]W>DS IT /RUCK ME ,I NE$N'T HAVE SAID ?AT4 ,I HAD NO REASON TO EXCUSE MYSELF2 
IT WAS UP TO HIM TO EXPRESS HIS SYMPA?Y & SO =?4 ,PROBABLY HE WILL DO SO ! DAY 
AFT] TOMORR[1 :5 HE SEES ME 9 BLACK4 ,= ! PRES5T1 IT'S ALMO/ AS IF ,MO!R 
W]5'T REALLY DEAD4 ,! FUN]AL WILL BR+ IT HOME TO ME1 PUT AN (FICIAL SEAL ON IT1 SO 
TO SPEAK4 444 

,I TOOK ! TWO-O'CLOCK BUS4 ,IT WAS A BLAZ+ HOT AFT]NOON4 ,I'D LUN*$1 AS USUAL1 AT 
,CELE/E'S RE/AURANT4 ,EV]YONE WAS MO/ K9D1 & ,CELE/E SAID TO ME1 0,!RE'S NO 
ONE LIKE A MO!R40 ,:5 ,I LEFT !Y CAME ) ME TO ! DOOR4 ,IT WAS SOME?+ ( A 
RU%1 GETT+ AWAY1 AS AT ! LA/ MOM5T ,I HAD TO CALL 9 AT ,EMMANUEL'S PLACE TO 
BORR[ HIS BLACK TIE & M\RN+ B&4 ,HE LO/ HIS UNCLE A FEW MON?S AGO4 

,I HAD TO RUN TO CAT* ! BUS4 ,I SUPPOSE IT WAS MY HURRY+ LIKE ?AT1 :AT ) ! 
GL>E (F ! ROAD & FROM ! SKY1 ! REEK ( GASOL9E1 & ! JOLTS1 ?AT MADE ME 
FEEL SO DR[SY4 ,ANYH[1 ,I SLEPT MO/ ( ! WAY4 ,:5 ,I WOKE ,I WAS LEAN+ AGA9/ 
A SOLDI]2 HE GR9N$ & ASK$ ME IF ,I'D COME FROM A LONG WAY (F1 & ,I JU/ 
NODD$1 TO CUT ?+S %ORT4 ,I WASN'T 9 A MOOD = TALK+4 

,! ,HOME IS A LITTLE OV] A MILE FROM ! VILLAGE4 ,I W5T !RE ON FOOT4 ,I ASK$ TO 
BE ALL[$ TO SEE ,MO!R AT ONCE1 BUT ! DOORKEEP] TOLD ME ,I MU/ SEE ! W>D5 
FIR/4 ,HE WASN'T FREE1 & ,I HAD TO WAIT A BIT4 ,! DOORKEEP] *ATT$ ) ME :ILE ,I 
WAIT$2 !N HE L$ ME TO ! (FICE4 ,! W>D5 WAS A V]Y SMALL MAN1 ) GRAY 
HAIR1 & A ,LEGION ( ,HONOR ROSETTE 9 HIS BUTTONHOLE4 ,HE GAVE ME A LONG LOOK ) 
HIS WAT]Y BLUE EYES4 ,!N WE %OOK H&S1 & HE HELD M9E SO LONG ?AT ,I BEGAN TO 
FEEL EMB>RASS$4 ,AFT] ?AT HE CONSULT$ A REGI/] ON HIS TABLE1 & SAID3 

0,MADAME ,MEURSAULT 5T]$ ! ,HOME ?REE YE>S AGO4 ,%E HAD NO PRIVATE MEANS 
& DEP5D$ 5TIRELY ON Y\40 

,I HAD A FEEL+ HE WAS BLAM+ ME = SOME?+1 & />T$ TO EXPLA94 ,BUT HE 
CUT ME %ORT4 

0,!RE'S NO NE$ TO EXCUSE Y\RSELF1 MY BOY4 ,I'VE LOOK$ UP ! RECORD & 
OBVI\SLY Y\ W]5'T 9 A POSITION TO SEE ?AT %E WAS PROP]LY C>$ =4 ,%E 
NE$$ SOMEONE TO BE ) H] ALL ! TIME1 & Y\NG M5 9 JOBS LIKE Y\RS DON'T 
GET TOO MU* PAY4 ,9 ANY CASE1 %E WAS MU* HAPPI] 9 ! ,HOME40 

,I SAID1 0,YES1 SIR2 ,I'M SURE ( ?AT40 

,!N HE ADD$3 0,%E HAD GOOD FRI5DS H]E1 Y\ KN[1 OLD FOLKS LIKE H]SELF1 & 
ONE GETS ON BETT] ) PEOPLE ( ONE'S [N G5]ATION4 ,Y\'RE MU* TOO Y\NG2 Y\ 
C\LDN'T HAVE BE5 MU* ( A COMPANION TO H]40 

,?AT WAS SO4 ,:5 WE LIV$ TOGE!R1 ,MO!R WAS ALWAYS WAT*+ ME1 BUT WE 
H>DLY EV] TALK$4 ,DUR+ H] FIR/ FEW WEEKS AT ! ,HOME %E US$ TO CRY A GOOD 
DEAL4 ,BUT ?AT WAS ONLY BECAUSE %E HADN'T SETTL$ D[N4 ,AFT] A MON? OR TWO %E'D 
HAVE CRI$ IF %E'D BE5 TOLD TO LEAVE ! ,HOME4 ,BECAUSE ?IS1 TOO1 W\LD HAVE BE5 A 
WR5*4 ,?AT WAS :Y1 DUR+ ! LA/ YE>1 ,I SELDOM W5T TO SEE H]4 ,ALSO1 IT W\LD 
HAVE MEANT LOS+ MY ,SUNDAY -- NOT TO M5TION ! TR\BLE ( GO+ TO ! BUS1 
GETT+ MY TICKET1 & SP5D+ TWO H\RS ON ! J\RNEY EA* WAY4 

,! W>D5 W5T ON TALK+1 BUT ,I DIDN'T PAY MU* ATT5TION4 ,F9ALLY HE SAID3 

0,N[1 ,I SUPPOSE Y\'D LIKE TO SEE Y\R MO!R80 

,I ROSE )\T REPLY+1 & HE L$ ! WAY TO ! DOOR4 ,AS WE W]E GO+ D[N 
! /AIRS HE EXPLA9$3 

0,I'VE HAD ! BODY MOV$ TO \R LITTLE MORTU>Y -- SO AS NOT TO UPSET ! O!R OLD 
PEOPLE1 Y\ UND]/&4 ,EV]Y TIME !RE'S A DEA? H]E1 !Y'RE 9 A N]V\S /ATE = 
TWO OR ?REE DAYS4 ,:I* MEANS1 ( C\RSE1 EXTRA WORK & WORRY = \R /AFF40 

,WE CROSS$ A C\RTY>D :]E !RE W]E A NUMB] ( OLD M51 TALK+ AMONG 
!MSELVES 9 LITTLE GR\PS4 ,!Y FELL SIL5T AS WE CAME UP ) !M4 ,!N1 BEH9D 
\R BACKS1 ! *ATT]+ BEGAN AGA94 ,!IR VOICES REM9D$ ME ( P>AKEETS 9 A 
CAGE1 ONLY ! S\ND WASN'T QUITE SO %RILL4 ,! W>D5 /OPP$ \TSIDE ! 5TRANCE 
( A SMALL1 L[ BUILD+4 

0,SO H]E ,I LEAVE Y\1 ,MONSIEUR ,MEURSAULT4 ,IF Y\ WANT ME = ANY?+1 Y\'LL 
F9D ME 9 MY (FICE4 ,WE PROPOSE TO HAVE ! FUN]AL TOMORR[ MORN+4 ,?AT WILL 
5ABLE Y\ TO SP5D ! NI<T BESIDE Y\R MO!R'S C(F91 AS NO D\BT Y\ W\LD 
WI% TO DO4 ,JU/ ONE MORE ?+2 ,I GA!R$ FROM Y\R MO!R'S FRI5DS ?AT %E 
WI%$ TO BE BURI$ ) ! RITES ( ! ,*UR*4 ,I'VE MADE >RANGEM5TS = ?IS2 BUT 
,I ?\<T ,I %\LD LET Y\ KN[40 

,I ?ANK$ HIM4 ,SO F> AS ,I KNEW1 MY MO!R1 ?\< NOT A PR(ESS$ A!I/1 HAD 
NEV] GIV5 A ?\<T TO RELIGION 9 H] LIFE4 

,I 5T]$ ! MORTU>Y4 ,IT WAS A BRI<T1 SPOTLESSLY CLEAN ROOM1 ) :ITEWA%$ 
WALLS & A BIG SKYLI<T4 ,! FURNITURE CONSI/$ ( SOME *AIRS & TRE/LES4 ,TWO ( 
! LATT] /OOD OP5 9 ! C5T] ( ! ROOM & ! C(F9 RE/$ ON !M4 ,! LID 

WAS 9 PLACE1 BUT ! SCREWS HAD BE5 GIV5 ONLY A FEW TURNS & !IR NICKEL$ HEADS 
/UCK \T ABOVE ! WOOD1 :I* WAS /A9$ D>K WALNUT4 ,AN ,>AB WOMAN -- A 
NURSE1 ,I SUPPOS$ -- WAS SITT+ BESIDE ! BI]2 %E WAS WE>+ A BLUE SMOCK & 
HAD A RA!R GAUDY SC>F W\ND R\ND H] HAIR4 

,JU/ !N ! KEEP] CAME UP BEH9D ME4 ,HE'D EVID5TLY BE5 RUNN+1 AS HE WAS A 
LITTLE \T ( BREA?4 

0,WE PUT ! LID ON1 BUT ,I WAS TOLD TO UNSCREW IT :5 Y\ CAME1 SO ?AT Y\ C\LD 
SEE H]40 

,:ILE HE WAS GO+ UP TO ! C(F9 ,I TOLD HIM NOT TO TR\BLE4 

0,EH8 ,:AT'S ?AT80 HE EXCLAIM$4 0,Y\ DON'T WANT ME TO 44480 

0,NO10 ,I SAID4 

,HE PUT BACK ! SCREWDRIV] 9 HIS POCKET & />$ AT ME4 ,I REALIZ$ !N ?AT ,I 
%\LDN'T HAVE SAID1 0,NO10 & IT MADE ME RA!R EMB>RASS$4 ,AFT] EYE+ ME = 
SOME MOM5TS HE ASK$3 

0,:Y NOT80 ,BUT HE DIDN'T S\ND REPROA*FUL2 HE SIMPLY WANT$ TO KN[4 

0,WELL1 REALLY ,I C\LDN'T SAY10 ,I ANSW]$4 

,HE BEGAN TWIDDL+ HIS :ITE MU/A*E2 !N1 )\T LOOK+ AT ME1 SAID G5TLY3 

0,I UND]/&40 

,HE WAS A PLEASANT-LOOK+ MAN1 ) BLUE EYES & RUDDY *EEKS4 ,HE DREW UP A 
*AIR = ME NE> ! C(F91 & SEAT$ HIMSELF JU/ BEH9D4 ,! NURSE GOT UP & 
MOV$ T[>D ! DOOR4 ,AS %E WAS GO+ BY1 ! KEEP] :ISP]$ 9 MY E>3 

0,IT'S A TUMOR %E HAS1 POOR ?+40 

,I LOOK$ AT H] MORE C>EFULLY & ,I NOTIC$ ?AT %E HAD A B&AGE R\ND H] HEAD1 
JU/ BEL[ H] EYES4 ,IT LAY QUITE FLAT ACROSS ! BRIDGE ( H] NOSE1 & ONE SAW H>DLY 
ANY?+ ( H] FACE EXCEPT ?AT /RIP ( :IT5ESS4 

,AS SOON AS %E HAD GONE1 ! KEEP] ROSE4 

0,N[ ,I'LL LEAVE Y\ TO Y\RSELF40 

,I DON'T KN[ :E!R ,I MADE SOME GE/URE1 BUT 9/EAD ( GO+ HE HALT$ BEH9D 
MY *AIR4 ,! S5SATION ( SOMEONE PO/$ AT MY BACK MADE ME UNCOM=TABLE4 ,! 
SUN WAS GETT+ L[ & ! :OLE ROOM WAS FLOOD$ ) A PLEASANT1 MELL[ LI<T4 
,TWO HORNETS W]E BUZZ+ OV]HEAD1 AGA9/ ! SKYLI<T4 ,I WAS SO SLEEPY ,I C\LD 
H>DLY KEEP MY EYES OP54 ,)\T LOOK+ R\ND1 ,I ASK$ ! KEEP] H[ LONG HE'D 
BE5 AT ! ,HOME4 0,FIVE YE>S40 ,! ANSW] CAME SO PAT ?AT ONE C\LD HAVE ?\<T 
HE'D BE5 EXPECT+ MY QUE/ION4 

,?AT />T$ HIM (F1 & HE BECAME QUITE *ATTY4 ,IF ANYONE HAD TOLD HIM T5 YE>S 
AGO ?AT HE'D 5D HIS DAYS AS DOORKEEP] AT A HOME AT ,M>5GO1 HE'D NEV] HAVE 
BELIEV$ IT4 ,HE WAS SIXTY- F\R1 HE SAID1 & HAIL$ FROM ,P>IS4 

,:5 HE SAID ?AT1 ,I BROKE 94 0,AH1 Y\ DON'T COME FROM H]E80 

,I REMEMB]$ !N ?AT1 BE=E TAK+ ME TO ! W>D51 HE'D TOLD ME SOME?+ 
AB\T ,MO!R4 ,HE HAD SAID %E'D HAVE TO BE BURI$ MI<TY QUICKLY BECAUSE ( ! 

HEAT 9 !SE P>TS1 ESPECIALLY D[N 9 ! PLA94 0,AT ,P>IS !Y KEEP ! BODY = 
?REE DAYS1 SOMETIMES F\R40 ,AFT] ?AT HE HAD M5TION$ ?AT HE'D SP5T ! BE/ P>T 
( HIS LIFE 9 ,P>IS1 & C\LD NEV] MANAGE TO =GET IT4 0,H]E10 HE HAD SAID1 0?+S 
HAVE TO GO ) A RU%1 LIKE4 ,Y\'VE H>DLY TIME TO GET US$ TO ! IDEA ?AT 
SOMEONE'S DEAD1 BE=E Y\'RE HAUL$ (F TO ! FUN]AL40 0,?AT'S 5\<10 HIS WIFE 
HAD PUT 94 0,Y\ DIDN'T \<T TO SAY SU* ?+S TO ! POOR Y\NG G5TLEMAN40 ,! 
OLD FELL[ HAD BLU%$ & BEGUN TO APOLOGIZE4 ,I TOLD HIM IT WAS QUITE ALL RI<T4 ,AS A 
MATT] ( FACT1 ,I F\ND IT RA!R 9T]E/+1 :AT HE'D BE5 TELL+ ME2 ,I HADN'T 
?\<T ( ?AT BE=E4 

,N[ HE W5T ON TO SAY ?AT HE'D 5T]$ ! ,HOME AS AN ORD9>Y 9MATE4 ,BUT HE 
WAS /ILL QUITE HALE & HE>TY1 & :5 ! KEEP]'S JOB FELL VACANT1 HE (F]$ TO 
TAKE IT ON4 

,I PO9T$ \T ?AT1 EV5 SO1 HE WAS REALLY AN 9MATE LIKE ! O!RS1 BUT HE W\LDN'T 
HE> ( IT4 ,HE WAS 0AN (FICIAL1 LIKE40 ,I'D BE5 /RUCK BE=E BY HIS HABIT ( SAY+ 
0!Y0 OR1 LESS (T51 0!M OLD FOLKS10 :5 REF]R+ TO 9MATES NO OLD] ?AN 
HIMSELF4 ,/ILL1 ,I C\LD SEE HIS PO9T ( VIEW4 ,AS DOORKEEP] HE HAD A C]TA9 /&+1 
& SOME AU?ORITY OV] ! RE/ ( !M4 

,JU/ !N ! NURSE RETURN$4 ,NI<T HAD FALL5 V]Y QUICKLY2 ALL ( A SUDD51 IT 
SEEM$1 ! SKY W5T BLACK ABOVE ! SKYLI<T4 ,! KEEP] SWIT*$ ON ! LAMPS1 
& ,I WAS ALMO/ BL9D$ BY ! BLAZE ( LI<T4 

,HE SUGGE/$ ,I %\LD GO TO ! REFECTORY = D9N]1 BUT ,I WASN'T HUNGRY4 ,!N HE 
PROPOS$ BR++ ME A MUG ( CAFE AU LAIT4 ,AS ,I AM V]Y P>TIAL TO CAFE AU LAIT ,I 
SAID1 0,?ANKS10 & A FEW M9UTES LAT] HE CAME BACK ) A TRAY4 ,I DRANK ! C(FEE1 
& !N ,I WANT$ A CIG>ETTE4 ,BUT ,I WASN'T SURE IF ,I %\LD SMOKE1 UND] ! 
CIRCUM/ANCES -- 9 ,MO!R'S PRES5CE4 ,I ?\<T IT OV]2 REALLY1 IT DIDN'T SEEM TO 
MATT]1 SO ,I (F]$ ! KEEP] A CIG>ETTE1 & WE BO? SMOK$4 

,AFT] A :ILE HE />T$ TALK+ AGA94 

0,Y\ KN[1 Y\R MO!R'S FRI5DS WILL BE COM+ SOON1 TO KEEP VIGIL ) Y\ 
BESIDE ! BODY4 ,WE ALWAYS HAVE A 'VIGIL' H]E1 :5 ANYONE DIES4 ,I'D BETT] GO & 
GET SOME *AIRS & A POT ( BLACK C(FEE40 

,! GL>E (F ! :ITE WALLS WAS MAK+ MY EYES SM>T1 & ,I ASK$ HIM IF HE 
C\LDN'T TURN (F ONE ( ! LAMPS4 0,NO?+ DO+10 HE SAID4 ,!Y'D >RANG$ ! 
LI<TS LIKE ?AT2 EI!R ONE HAD !M ALL ON OR NONE AT ALL4 ,AFT] ?AT ,I DIDN'T PAY MU* 
MORE ATT5TION TO HIM4 ,HE W5T \T1 BR\<T SOME *AIRS1 & SET !M \T R\ND ! 
C(F94 ,ON ONE HE PLAC$ A C(FEEPOT & T5 OR A DOZ5 CUPS4 ,!N HE SAT D[N 
FAC+ ME1 ON ! F> SIDE ( ,MO!R4 ,! NURSE WAS AT ! O!R 5D ( ! ROOM1 
) H] BACK TO ME4 ,I C\LDN'T SEE :AT %E WAS DO+1 BUT BY ! WAY H] >MS 
MOV$ ,I GUESS$ ?AT %E WAS KNITT+4 ,I WAS FEEL+ V]Y COM=TABLE2 ! C(FEE HAD 
W>M$ ME UP1 & ?R\< ! OP5 DOOR CAME SC5TS ( FL[]S & BREA?S ( 
COOL NI<T AIR4 ,I ?9K ,I DOZ$ (F = A :ILE4 

,I WAS WAK5$ BY AN ODD RU/L+ 9 MY E>S4 ,AFT] HAV+ HAD MY EYES CLOS$1 ,I 
HAD A FEEL+ ?AT ! LI<T HAD GR[N EV5 /RONG] ?AN BE=E4 ,!RE WASN'T A TRACE 
( %AD[ ANY:]E1 & EV]Y OBJECT1 EA* CURVE OR ANGLE1 SEEM$ TO SCORE ITS 
\TL9E ON ONE'S EYES4 ,! OLD PEOPLE1 ,MO!R'S FRI5DS1 W]E COM+ 94 ,I C\NT$ 
T5 9 ALL1 GLID+ ALMO/ S\NDLESSLY ?R\< ! BLEAK :ITE GL>E4 ,NONE ( ! 
*AIRS CREAK$ :5 !Y SAT D[N4 ,NEV] 9 MY LIFE HAD ,I SE5 ANYONE SO CLE>LY AS 
,I SAW !SE PEOPLE2 NOT A DETAIL ( !IR CLO!S OR FEATURES ESCAP$ ME4 ,& YET ,I 
C\LDN'T HE> !M1 & IT WAS H>D TO BELIEVE !Y REALLY EXI/$4 

,NE>LY ALL ! WOM5 WORE APRONS1 & ! /R+S DRAWN TI<T R\ND !IR WAI/S 
MADE !IR BIG /OMA*S BULGE /ILL MORE4 ,I'D NEV] YET NOTIC$ :AT BIG PAUN*ES 
OLD WOM5 USUALLY HAVE4 ,MO/ ( ! M51 H[EV]1 W]E AS ?9 AS RAKES1 & !Y 
ALL C>RI$ /ICKS4 ,:AT /RUCK ME MO/ AB\T !IR FACES WAS ?AT ONE C\LDN'T SEE 
!IR EYES1 ONLY A DULL GL[ 9 A SORT ( NE/ ( WR9KLES4 

,ON SITT+ D[N1 !Y LOOK$ AT ME1 & WAGG$ !IR HEADS AWKW>DLY1 !IR LIPS 
SUCK$ 9 BETWE5 !IR TOO?LESS GUMS4 ,I C\LDN'T DECIDE IF !Y W]E GREET+ ME 
& TRY+ TO SAY SOME?+1 OR IF IT WAS DUE TO SOME 9FIRMITY ( AGE4 ,I 9CL9$ TO 
?9K ?AT !Y W]E GREET+ ME1 AFT] !IR FA%ION1 BUT IT HAD A QUE] EFFECT1 SEE+ 
ALL ?OSE OLD FELL[S GR\P$ R\ND ! KEEP]1 SOLEMNLY EYE+ ME & D&L+ !IR 
HEADS FROM SIDE TO SIDE4 ,= A MOM5T ,I HAD AN ABSURD IMPRESSION ?AT !Y HAD COME 
TO SIT 9 JUDGM5T ON ME4 

,A FEW M9UTES LAT] ONE ( ! WOM5 />T$ WEEP+4 ,%E WAS 9 ! SECOND R[ 
& ,I C\LDN'T SEE H] FACE BECAUSE ( ANO!R WOMAN 9 FRONT4 ,AT REGUL> 9T]VALS 
%E EMITT$ A LITTLE *OK+ SOB2 ONE HAD A FEEL+ %E W\LD NEV] /OP4 ,! O!RS 
DIDN'T SEEM TO NOTICE4 ,!Y SAT 9 SIL5CE1 SLUMP$ 9 !IR *AIRS1 />+ AT ! 
C(F9 OR AT !IR WALK+ /ICKS OR ANY OBJECT JU/ 9 FRONT ( !M1 & NEV] TOOK 
!IR EYES (F IT4 ,& /ILL ! WOMAN SOBB$4 ,I WAS RA!R SURPRIS$1 AS ,I DIDN'T KN[ 
:O %E WAS4 ,I WANT$ H] TO /OP CRY+1 BUT D>$ NOT SPEAK TO H]4 ,AFT] A :ILE 
! KEEP] B5T T[>D H] & :ISP]$ 9 H] E>2 BUT %E M]ELY %OOK H] HEAD1 
MUMBL$ SOME?+ ,I C\LDN'T CAT*1 & W5T ON SOBB+ AS /EADILY AS BE=E4 

,! KEEP] GOT UP & MOV$ HIS *AIR BESIDE M9E4 ,AT FIR/ HE KEPT SIL5T2 !N1 
)\T LOOK+ AT ME1 HE EXPLA9$4 

0,%E WAS DEVOT$ TO Y\R MO!R4 ,%E SAYS Y\R MO!R WAS H] ONLY FRI5D 9 ! 
WORLD1 & N[ %E'S ALL ALONE40 

,I HAD NO?+ TO SAY1 & ! SIL5CE LA/$ QUITE A :ILE4 ,PRES5TLY ! WOMAN'S 
SI<S & SOBS BECAME LESS FREQU5T1 &1 AFT] BL[+ H] NOSE & SNUFFL+ = 
SOME M9UTES1 %E1 TOO1 FELL SIL5T4 

,I'D CEAS$ FEEL+ SLEEPY1 BUT ,I WAS V]Y TIR$ & MY LEGS W]E A*+ BADLY4 ,& 
N[ ,I REALIZ$ ?AT ! SIL5CE ( !SE PEOPLE WAS TELL+ ON MY N]VES4 ,! ONLY 
S\ND WAS A RA!R QUE] ONE2 IT CAME ONLY N[ & !N1 & AT FIR/ ,I WAS PUZZL$ 
BY IT4 ,H[EV]1 AFT] LI/5+ ATT5TIVELY1 ,I GUESS$ :AT IT WAS2 ! OLD M5 W]E 
SUCK+ AT ! 9SIDES ( !IR *EEKS1 & ?IS CAUS$ ! ODD1 :EEZ+ NOISES ?AT 
HAD MY/IFI$ ME4 ,!Y W]E SO MU* ABSORB$ 9 !IR ?\<TS ?AT !Y DIDN'T 
KN[ :AT !Y W]E UP TO4 ,I EV5 HAD AN IMPRESSION ?AT ! DEAD BODY 9 !IR 
MID/ MEANT NO?+ AT ALL TO !M4 ,BUT N[ ,I SUSPECT ?AT ,I WAS MI/AK5 AB\T ?IS4 

,WE ALL DRANK ! C(FEE1 :I* ! KEEP] H&$ R\ND4 ,AFT] ?AT1 ,I CAN'T 
REMEMB] MU*2 SOMEH[ ! NI<T W5T BY4 ,I CAN RECALL ONLY ONE MOM5T2 ,I HAD 
OP5$ MY EYES & ,I SAW ! OLD M5 SLEEP+ HUN*$ UP ON !IR *AIRS1 ) ONE 
EXCEPTION4 ,RE/+ HIS *9 ON HIS H&S CLASP$ R\ND HIS /ICK1 HE WAS />+ H>D 
AT ME1 AS IF HE HAD BE5 WAIT+ = ME TO WAKE4 ,!N ,I FELL ASLEEP AGA94 ,I WOKE UP 
AFT] A BIT1 BECAUSE ! A*E 9 MY LEGS HAD DEVELOP$ 9TO A SORT ( CRAMP4 

,!RE WAS A GLIMM] ( DAWN ABOVE ! SKYLI<T4 ,A M9UTE OR TWO LAT] ONE ( ! 
OLD M5 WOKE UP & C\<$ REPEAT$LY4 ,HE SPAT 9TO A BIG *ECK H&K]*IEF1 & 
EA* TIME HE SPAT IT S\ND$ AS IF HE W]E RET*+4 ,?IS WOKE ! O!RS1 & ! 
KEEP] TOLD !M IT WAS TIME TO MAKE A MOVE4 ,!Y ALL GOT UP AT ONCE4 ,!IR FACES 
W]E A%5 GRAY AFT] ! LONG1 UNEASY VIGIL4 ,TO MY SURPRISE EA* ( !M %OOK 
H&S ) ME1 AS ?\< ?IS NI<T TOGE!R1 9 :I* WE HADN'T EX*ANG$ A WORD1 
HAD CREAT$ A K9D ( 9TIMACY BETWE5 US4 

,I WAS QUITE DONE 94 ,! KEEP] TOOK ME TO HIS ROOM1 & ,I TIDI$ MYSELF UP A BIT4 
,HE GAVE ME SOME MORE 0:ITE0 C(FEE1 & IT SEEM$ TO DO ME GOOD4 ,:5 ,I W5T 
\T1 ! SUN WAS UP & ! SKY MOTTL$ R$ ABOVE ! HILLS BETWE5 ,M>5GO & ! 
SEA4 ,A MORN+ BREEZE WAS BL[+ & IT HAD A PLEASANT SALTY TANG4 ,!RE WAS ! 
PROMISE ( A V]Y F9E DAY4 ,I HADN'T BE5 9 ! C\NTRY = AGES1 & ,I CAU<T MYSELF 
?9K+ :AT AN AGREEABLE WALK ,I C\LD HAVE HAD1 IF IT HADN'T BE5 = ,MO!R4 

,AS IT WAS1 ,I WAIT$ 9 ! C\RTY>D1 UND] A PLANE TREE4 ,I SNIFF$ ! SMELLS ( ! 
COOL E>? & F\ND ,I WASN'T SLEEPY ANY MORE4 ,!N ,I ?\<T ( ! O!R FELL[S 9 
! (FICE4 ,AT ?IS H\R !Y'D BE GETT+ UP1 PREP>+ TO GO TO WORK2 = ME ?IS WAS 
ALWAYS ! WOR/ H\R ( ! DAY4 ,I W5T ON ?9K+1 LIKE ?IS1 = T5 M9UTES OR SO2 
!N ! S\ND ( A BELL 9SIDE ! BUILD+ ATTRACT$ MY ATT5TION4 ,I C\LD SEE 
MOVEM5TS BEH9D ! W9D[S2 !N ALL WAS CALM AGA94 ,! SUN HAD RIS5 A LITTLE 
HI<] & WAS BEG9N+ TO W>M MY FEET4 ,! KEEP] CAME ACROSS ! Y>D & 
SAID ! W>D5 WI%$ TO SEE ME4 ,I W5T TO HIS (FICE & HE GOT ME TO SIGN SOME 
DOCUM5T4 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT HE WAS 9 BLACK1 ) P9-/RIPE TR\S]S4 ,HE PICK$ UP ! 
TELEPHONE RECEIV] & LOOK$ AT ME4 

0,! UND]TAK]'S M5 >RIV$ SOME MOM5TS AGO1 & !Y WILL BE GO+ TO ! 
MORTU>Y TO SCREW D[N ! C(F94 ,%ALL ,I TELL !M TO WAIT1 = Y\ TO HAVE A LA/ 
GLIMPSE ( Y\R MO!R80 

0,NO10 ,I SAID4 

,HE SPOKE 9TO ! RECEIV]1 L[]+ HIS VOICE4 0,?AT'S ALL RI<T1 ,FIGEAC4 ,TELL ! 
M5 TO GO !RE N[40 

,HE !N 9=M$ ME ?AT HE WAS GO+ TO ATT5D ! FUN]AL1 & ,I ?ANK$ HIM4 
,SITT+ D[N BEH9D HIS DESK1 HE CROSS$ HIS %ORT LEGS & LEAN$ BACK4 ,BESIDES ! 
NURSE ON DUTY1 HE TOLD ME1 HE & ,I W\LD BE ! ONLY M\RN]S AT ! FUN]AL4 ,IT WAS 
A RULE ( ! ,HOME ?AT 9MATES %\LDN'T ATT5D FUN]ALS1 ?\< !RE WAS NO 
OBJECTION TO LETT+ SOME ( !M SIT UP BESIDE ! C(F91 ! NI<T BE=E4 

0,IT'S = !IR [N SAKES10 HE EXPLA9$1 0TO SP>E !IR FEEL+S4 ,BUT 9 ?IS 
P>TICUL> 9/ANCE ,I'VE GIV5 P]MISSION TO AN OLD FRI5D ( Y\R MO!R TO COME 
) US4 ,HIS NAME IS ,?OMAS ,P]EZ40 ,! W>D5 SMIL$4 0,IT'S A RA!R T\*+ LITTLE 
/ORY 9 ITS WAY4 ,HE & Y\R MO!R HAD BECOME ALMO/ 9SEP>ABLE4 ,! O!R OLD 
PEOPLE US$ TO TEASE ,P]EZ AB\T HAV+ A FIANCEE4 ',:5 >E Y\ GO+ TO M>RY 
H]8' !Y'D ASK4 ,HE'D TURN IT ) A LAU<4 ,IT WAS A /&+ JOKE1 9 FACT4 ,SO1 AS Y\ 
CAN GUESS1 HE FEELS V]Y BADLY AB\T Y\R MO!R'S DEA?4 ,I ?\<T ,I C\LDN'T 
DEC5TLY REFUSE HIM P]MISSION TO ATT5D ! FUN]AL4 ,BUT1 ON \R M$ICAL (FIC]'S 
ADVICE1 ,I =BADE HIM TO SIT UP BESIDE ! BODY LA/ NI<T40 

,= SOME TIME WE SAT !RE )\T SPEAK+4 ,!N ! W>D5 GOT UP & W5T TO 
! W9D[4 ,PRES5TLY HE SAID3 

0,AH1 !RE'S ! PADRE FROM ,M>5GO4 ,HE'S A BIT AHEAD ( TIME40 

,HE W>N$ ME ?AT IT W\LD TAKE US A GOOD ?REE QU>T]S ( AN H\R1 WALK+ TO 
! *UR*1 :I* WAS 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,!N WE W5T D[N/AIRS4 

,! PRIE/ WAS WAIT+ JU/ \TSIDE ! MORTU>Y DOOR4 ,) HIM W]E TWO 
ACOLYTES1 ONE ( :OM HAD A C5S]4 ,! PRIE/ WAS /OOP+ OV] HIM1 ADJU/+ ! 
L5G? ( ! SILV] *A9 ON :I* IT HUNG4 ,:5 HE SAW US HE /RAI<T5$ UP & 
SAID A FEW WORDS TO ME1 ADDRESS+ ME AS1 0,MY SON40 ,!N HE L$ ! WAY 9TO ! 
MORTU>Y4 

,I NOTIC$ AT ONCE ?AT F\R M5 9 BLACK W]E /&+ BEH9D ! C(F9 & ! 
SCREWS 9 ! LID HAD N[ BE5 DRIV5 HOME4 ,AT ! SAME MOM5T ,I HE>D ! W>D5 
REM>K ?AT ! HE>SE HAD >RIV$1 & ! PRIE/ />T+ HIS PRAY]S4 ,!N 
EV]YBODY MADE A MOVE4 ,HOLD+ A /RIP ( BLACK CLO?1 ! F\R M5 APPROA*$ ! 
C(F91 :ILE ! PRIE/1 ! BOYS1 & MYSELF FIL$ \T4 ,A LADY ,I HADN'T SE5 BE=E 
WAS /&+ BY ! DOOR4 0,?IS IS ,MONSIEUR ,MEURSAULT10 ! W>D5 SAID TO H]4 ,I 
DIDN'T CAT* H] NAME1 BUT ,I GA!R$ %E WAS A NURS+ SI/] ATTA*$ TO ! ,HOME4 
,:5 ,I WAS 9TRODUC$1 %E B[$1 )\T ! TRACE ( A SMILE ON H] LONG1 GAUNT 
FACE4 ,WE /OOD ASIDE FROM ! DOORWAY TO LET ! C(F9 BY2 !N1 FOLL[+ ! 
BE>]S D[N A CORRIDOR1 WE CAME TO ! FRONT 5TRANCE1 :]E A HE>SE WAS WAIT+4 
,OBLONG1 GLOSSY1 V>NI%$ BLACK ALL OV]1 IT VAGUELY REM9D$ ME ( ! P5 TRAYS 9 
! (FICE4 

,BESIDE ! HE>SE /OOD A QUA9TLY DRESS$ LITTLE -MAN1 :OSE DUTY IT WAS1 ,I 
UND]/OOD1 TO SUP]VISE ! FUN]AL1 AS A SORT ( MA/] ( C]EMONIES4 ,NE> HIM1 
LOOK+ CON/RA9$1 ALMO/ BA%FUL1 WAS OLD ,M4 ,P]EZ1 MY MO!R'S SPECIAL FRI5D4 
,HE WORE A S(T FELT HAT ) A PUDD+-BAS9 CR[N & A V]Y WIDE BRIM -- HE 
:ISK$ IT (F ! MOM5T ! C(F9 EM]G$ FROM ! DOORWAY -- TR\S]S ?AT 
CONC]T9A'D ON HIS %OES1 A BLACK TIE MU* TOO SMALL = HIS HI< :ITE D\BLE COLL>4 
,UND] A BULB\S1 PIMPLY NOSE1 HIS LIPS W]E TREMBL+4 ,BUT :AT CAU<T MY ATT5TION 
MO/ WAS HIS E>S2 P5DUL\S1 SC>LET E>S ?AT %[$ UP LIKE BLOBS ( SEAL+ WAX 
ON ! PALLOR ( HIS *EEKS & W]E FRAM$ 9 WISPS ( SILKY :ITE HAIR4 

,! UND]TAK]'S FACTOTUM %EPH]D$ US TO \R PLACES1 ) ! PRIE/ 9 FRONT ( 
! HE>SE1 & ! F\R M5 9 BLACK ON EA* SIDE ( IT4 ,! W>D5 & MYSELF CAME 
NEXT1 &1 BR++ UP ! RE>1 OLD ,P]EZ & ! NURSE4 

,! SKY WAS ALREADY A BLAZE ( LI<T1 & ! AIR /OK+ UP RAPIDLY4 ,I FELT ! FIR/ 
WAVES ( HEAT LAPP+ MY BACK1 & MY D>K SUIT MADE ?+S WORSE4 ,I C\LDN'T 
IMAG9E :Y WE WAIT$ SO LONG = GETT+ UND] WAY4 ,OLD ,P]EZ1 :O HAD PUT ON HIS 
HAT1 TOOK IT (F AGA94 ,I HAD TURN$ SLI<TLY 9 HIS DIRECTION & WAS LOOK+ AT HIM 
:5 ! W>D5 />T$ TELL+ ME MORE AB\T HIM4 ,I REMEMB] HIS SAY+ ?AT OLD 
,P]EZ & MY MO!R US$ (T5 TO HAVE A LONGI% /ROLL TOGE!R 9 ! COOL ( ! 
EV5+2 SOMETIMES !Y W5T AS F> AS ! VILLAGE1 ACCOMPANI$ BY A NURSE1 ( 
C\RSE4 

,I LOOK$ AT ! C\NTRYSIDE1 AT ! LONG L9ES ( CYPRESSES SLOP+ UP T[>D ! 
SKYL9E & ! HILLS1 ! HOT R$ SOIL DAPPL$ ) VIVID GRE51 & H]E & !RE A 
LONELY H\SE %>PLY \TL9$ AGA9/ ! LI<T -- & ,I C\LD UND]/& ,MO!R'S 
FEEL+S4 ,EV5+S 9 !SE P>TS MU/ BE A SORT ( M\RNFUL SOLACE4 ,N[1 9 ! FULL 
GL>E ( ! MORN+ SUN1 ) EV]Y?+ %IMM]+ 9 ! HEAT HAZE1 !RE WAS 
SOME?+ 9HUMAN1 DISC\RAG+1 AB\T ?IS L&SCAPE4 

,AT LA/ WE MADE A MOVE4 ,ONLY !N ,I NOTIC$ ?AT ,P]EZ HAD A SLI<T LIMP4 ,! OLD 
*AP /EADILY LO/ GR\ND AS ! HE>SE GA9$ SPE$4 ,ONE ( ! M5 BESIDE IT1 TOO1 
FELL BACK & DREW LEVEL ) ME4 ,I WAS SURPRIS$ TO SEE H[ QUICKLY ! SUN WAS 
CLIMB+ UP ! SKY1 & JU/ !N IT /RUCK ME ?AT = QUITE A :ILE ! AIR HAD BE5 
?ROBB+ ) ! HUM ( 9SECTS & ! RU/LE ( GRASS W>M+ UP4 ,SWEAT WAS 
RUNN+ D[N MY FACE4 ,AS ,I HAD NO HAT ,I TRI$ TO FAN MYSELF ) MY H&K]*IEF4 

,! UND]TAK]'S MAN TURN$ TO ME & SAID SOME?+ ?AT ,I DIDN'T CAT*4 ,AT ?AT 
SAME TIME HE WIP$ ! CR[N ( HIS HEAD ) A H&K]*IEF ?AT HE HELD 9 HIS LEFT 
H&1 :ILE ) HIS RI<T HE TILT$ UP HIS HAT4 ,I ASK$ HIM :AT HE'D SAID4 ,HE PO9T$ 
UPW>D4 

0,SUN'S PRETTY BAD TODAY1 A9'T IT80 

0,YES10 ,I SAID4 

,AFT] A :ILE HE ASK$3 0,IS IT Y\R MO!R WE'RE BURY+80 

0,YES10 ,I SAID AGA94 

0,:AT WAS H] AGE80 

0,WELL1 %E WAS GETT+ ON40 ,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 ,I DIDN'T KN[ EXACTLY H[ OLD %E 
WAS4 

,AFT] ?AT HE KEPT SIL5T4 ,LOOK+ BACK1 ,I SAW ,P]EZ LIMP+ ALONG SOME FIFTY Y>DS 
BEH9D4 ,HE WAS SW++ HIS BIG FELT HAT AT >M'S L5G?1 TRY+ TO MAKE ! PACE4 ,I 
ALSO HAD A LOOK AT ! W>D54 ,HE WAS WALK+ ) C>EFULLY MEASUR$ /EPS1 
ECONOMIZ+ EV]Y GE/URE4 ,BEADS ( P]SPIRATION GLI/5$ ON HIS =EHEAD1 BUT HE 
DIDN'T WIPE !M (F4 

,I HAD AN IMPRESSION ?AT \R LITTLE PROCESSION WAS MOV+ SLI<TLY FA/]4 ,:]EV] 
,I LOOK$ ,I SAW ! SAME SUN-DR5*$ C\NTRYSIDE1 & ! SKY WAS SO DAZZL+ ?AT ,I 
D>$ NOT RAISE MY EYES4 ,PRES5TLY WE /RUCK A PAT* ( FRE%LY T>R$ ROAD4 ,A 
%IMM] ( HEAT PLAY$ OV] IT & ONE'S FEET SQUEL*$ AT EA* /EP1 LEAV+ BRI<T 
BLACK GA%ES4 ,9 FRONT1 ! COA*MAN'S GLOSSY BLACK HAT LOOK$ LIKE A LUMP ( ! 
SAME /ICKY SUB/ANCE1 POIS$ ABOVE ! HE>SE4 ,IT GAVE ONE A QUE]1 DREAMLIKE 
IMPRESSION1 ?AT BLUE- :ITE GL>E OV]HEAD & ALL ?IS BLACKNESS R\ND ONE3 ! SLEEK 
BLACK ( ! HE>SE1 ! DULL BLACK ( ! M5'S CLO!S1 & ! SILV]Y-BLACK GA%ES 
9 ! ROAD4 ,& !N !RE W]E ! SMELLS1 SMELLS ( HOT LEA!R & HORSE DUNG 
FROM ! HE>SE1 VE9$ ) :IFFS ( 9C5SE SMOKE4 ,:AT ) !SE & ! 
HANGOV] FROM A POOR NI<T'S SLEEP1 ,I F\ND MY EYES & ?\<TS GR[+ BLURR$4 

,I LOOK$ BACK AGA94 ,P]EZ SEEM$ V]Y F> AWAY N[1 ALMO/ HIDD5 BY ! HEAT 
HAZE2 !N1 ABRUPTLY1 HE DISAPPE>$ ALTOGE!R4 ,AFT] PUZZL+ OV] IT = A BIT1 ,I 
GUESS$ ?AT HE HAD TURN$ (F ! ROAD 9TO ! FIELDS4 ,!N ,I NOTIC$ ?AT !RE WAS A 
B5D ( ! ROAD A LITTLE WAY AHEAD4 ,OBVI\SLY ,P]EZ1 :O KNEW ! DI/RICT WELL1 HAD 
TAK5 A %ORT CUT1 SO AS TO CAT* UP ) US4 ,HE REJO9$ US SOON AFT] WE W]E R\ND 
! B5D2 !N BEGAN TO LOSE GR\ND AGA94 ,HE TOOK ANO!R %ORT CUT & MET US 
AGA9 F>!R ON2 9 FACT1 ?IS HAPP5$ SEV]AL TIMES DUR+ ! NEXT HALF-H\R4 ,BUT 
SOON ,I LO/ 9T]E/ 9 HIS MOVEM5TS2 MY TEMPLES W]E ?ROBB+ & ,I C\LD H>DLY 
DRAG MYSELF ALONG4 

,AFT] ?AT EV]Y?+ W5T ) A RU%2 & ALSO ) SU* PRECISION & MATT]-(- 
FACTNESS ?AT ,I REMEMB] H>DLY ANY DETAILS4 ,EXCEPT ?AT :5 WE W]E ON ! 
\TSKIRTS ( ! VILLAGE ! NURSE SAID SOME?+ TO ME4 ,H] VOICE TOOK ME BY 
SURPRISE2 IT DIDN'T MAT* H] FACE AT ALL2 IT WAS MUSICAL & SLI<TLY TREMUL\S4 ,:AT 
%E SAID WAS3 0,IF Y\ GO TOO SL[LY !RE'S ! RISK ( A HEAT/ROKE4 ,BUT1 IF Y\ GO TOO 
FA/1 Y\ P]SPIRE1 & ! COLD AIR 9 ! *UR* GIVES Y\ A *ILL40 ,I SAW H] PO9T2 
EI!R WAY ONE WAS 9 = IT4 

,SOME O!R MEMORIES ( ! FUN]AL HAVE /UCK 9 MY M9D4 ,! OLD BOY'S FACE1 
= 9/ANCE1 :5 HE CAU<T UP ) US = ! LA/ TIME1 JU/ \TSIDE ! VILLAGE4 ,HIS 
EYES W]E /REAM+ ) TE>S1 ( EXHAU/ION OR DI/RESS1 OR BO? TOGE!R4 ,BUT 
BECAUSE ( ! WR9KLES !Y C\LDN'T FL[ D[N4 ,!Y SPREAD \T1 CRISSCROSS$1 & 
=M$ A SMOO? GLOSS ON ! OLD1 WORN FACE4 

,& ,I CAN REMEMB] ! LOOK ( ! *UR*1 ! VILLAG]S 9 ! /REET1 ! R$ 
G]ANIUMS ON ! GRAVES1 ,P]EZ'S FA9T+ FIT -- HE CRUMPL$ UP LIKE A RAG DOLL -- ! 
TAWNY-R$ E>? PATT]+ ON ,MO!R'S C(F91 ! BITS ( :ITE ROOTS MIX$ UP ) IT2 
!N MORE PEOPLE1 VOICES1 ! WAIT \TSIDE A CAFE = ! BUS1 ! RUMBLE ( ! 
5G9E1 & MY LITTLE ?RILL ( PLEASURE :5 WE 5T]$ ! FIR/ BRI<TLY LIT /REETS ( 
,ALGI]S1 & ,I PICTUR$ MYSELF GO+ /RAI<T TO B$ & SLEEP+ TWELVE H\RS AT A 
/RET*4 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#e1 #bba 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #a -- ,ADD$4 

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