V
The end of Damocles was admirable; he pronounced a little while before his last hour some words which drew tears from the most unbelieving and made pious people say: How edifying! The most notable sentiment was the one expressed so well in these words: I hope at any rate that he will not have felt the loss of it.
—Who? asked some one.
—He, said Damocles, dying; he who gave me ... something.
—No! it was Providence, cleverly replied the waiter.
Damocles died after hearing these comforting words.
THE FUNERAL
—Oh! said Prometheus to Cocles, leaving the chamber of death,—all that is horrible! The death of Damocles upsets me. Is it true that my lecture can have been the cause of his illness?
—I cannot say, said the waiter, but I know that at any rate he was greatly moved by all that you said of your eagle.
—Of our eagle, replied Cocles.
—I was so convinced, said Prometheus.
—That is why you convinced him.... Your words were very strong.
—I thought that no one paid any attention and I insisted.... If I had known that he would listen so attentively....
—What would you have said?
—The same thing, stammered Prometheus.
—Then?
—But I would not say the same thing now.
—Are you no longer convinced?
—Damocles was too much so.... I have other ideas about my eagle.
—By the way, where is he?
—Do not fear, Cocles. I have my eye on him.
—Good-bye. I shall wear mourning, said Cocles. When shall we see each other again?
—But ... at the funeral, I suppose. I will make a speech there. I ought to repair in some way the damage I have done. And afterwards I invite you to the funeral feast in the restaurant exactly where we saw Damocles for the first time.