온이퍼브

Since we’re all going to die, it’s obvious that when and how don’t matter.

Every time there’s a death here, they’re in a nervous state for two or three days

I agreed it wasn’t a bad plan; it would punish her, all right.

Still, I had an idea he looked annoyed, and I said, without thinking: “Sorry, sir, but it’s not my fault, you know.”

I drank the coffee, and then I wanted a cigarette. But I wasn’t sure if I should smoke, under the circumstances—in Mother’s presence. I thought it over; really, it didn’t seem to matter, so I offered the keeper a cigarette, and we both smoked.

Then she asked me to go and fetch a policeman, but I told her I didn’t like policemen

I mean. It’s not likely anyone will take him in and look after him; with all those scabs he puts everybody off.

Then she said she wondered if she really loved me or not. I, of course, couldn’t enlighten her as to that. And, after another silence, she murmured something about my being “a queer fellow.” “And I daresay that’s why I love you,” she added. “But maybe that’s why one day I’ll come to hate you.”

We were near my place, and I said, “Au revoir, then.”

She looked me in the eyes.

“Don’t you want to know what I’m doing this evening?”

I did want to know, but I hadn’t thought of asking her, and I guessed she was making a grievance of it

As I usually do when I want to get rid of someone whose conversation bores me, I pretended to agree. At which, rather to my surprise, his face lit up