“Is it necessary?”
“We must always go home in the end.”
“But nobody is waiting for you?”
“No, nobody.”
“Very well, then, I will take you with me.”
“Where?”
“To the chateau. You can stay there several days, as long as you wish. Your luggage is ready. Come.”
I was so far from expecting this invitation that I had myself thrown away all pretexts for declining. Nevertheless I was determined to refuse it, the more so on account of the peremptory way in which it was given, much as a millionaire with money to spare might throw down a little cash. “Come, now,” he seemed to say, “strap up your valise, you are wanted.” Without troubling my conscience, therefore, I invented some pressing obligations.
“But just now you did not mention any of those things,” he said.
“I had not thought, then,” I replied.