I stood there and I did not say anything. I did not even look at him. I looked quite away out of the windows to the treetops and the blue roofs and the wet close sky.
He lay perfectly still, and I just stood there.
The men went on singing—
Père Mathurin,
Il en aura,
Il n'en aura pas——
Madame Marthe had come in and was going about her work. She did not call me. It was nice of her not to call me.
She is quick and very clever and nervous and bad-tempered. She is rather horrid for me usually, but to-day she has been so nice that I shall always remember.
She went on with the dressings. I stood quite silently by the bed of 29.
After a while the chief came in with the patronne and all the doctors. They came to Number 29 Madame Marthe came, and I left her with them. They talked for a few minutes with her and then went out.
I helped her get him ready, and then Joseph came with the stretcher.
I went with him down the corridor to wait at the door of the operating room. They give the chloroform usually at the door. It seemed dreadfully long.