All the time I was speaking, they shook their heads at one another, and chuckled, and gave knowing winks and nods to each other, then the old fellow drew close to me:
—Speak louder!… She's a bit hard of hearing.
And she said:
—Speak up, please!… He can't hear very well….
So, I raised my voice, which evinced a grateful smile, and as these smiles faded I could just make out a faint image of Maurice. I was overwhelmed to see it; a vague, veiled, yet evasive, vision, as if I had seen my friend himself smile back at me, but in the misty distance.
* * * * *
Suddenly, the old man sat up in his armchair:
—I'm wondering, Mamette, if perhaps he hasn't had any lunch.
Mamette, shocked, threw her hands in the air:
—Not eaten!… Good Lord!