“I don’t know. I mustn’t go to college, I am too weak a doll to do much work.”
“Would you like to go to Deli some day?”
“Yes, with you.... Not alone; oh, to be alone, always alone! You will see: I shall always be alone; and it is so terrible to be alone!”
“But, Jules, you are not alone now!” said Cecile, reproachfully.
“Oh, yes, yes, in myself I am alone, always alone....”
He pressed himself against Quaerts’ knee.
“Jules, don’t talk so stupidly,” cried Amélie, nervously.
“Yes, yes!” cried Jules, with a sudden half sob. “I will hold my tongue! But don’t talk about me any more; oh, I beg you, don’t talk about me!”
He locked his hands and implored them, with dread in his face. They all stared at him, but he buried his face in Quaerts’ knees, as though deadly frightened of something....