“Oh, behind the Coliseum,” replied Amédée at a venture.
It was as if he had said: “Oh, under a bridge!”
Julius looked at him again:
“What a funny fellow you are!”
Did he really seem so queer? Fleurissoire mopped his brow. For a few moments they paced backwards and forwards in front of the station in silence.
“Well, we must say good-bye now,” said Baraglioul, holding out his hand.
“Couldn’t you ... couldn’t you come with me?” stammered Fleurissoire timidly. “I don’t exactly know why, but I’m a little nervous about going by myself.”
“You came to Rome by yourself. What can happen to you? Excuse me for not going with you on to the platform, but the sight of a train going off always gives me an inexpressible feeling of sadness. Good-bye. Good luck! And bring back my return ticket to Paris with you when you come to the Grand Hotel to-morrow.”
BOOK V: LAFCADIO
“There is only one remedy! One thing alone
can cure us from being ourselves! ...”