"Let's be off!"
"Nice patriots!" he mocked; "all these fine fellows who came to gaze at a pretty pair of legs."
That restored things to their proper proportions.
"But what about you? It shook you up a bit, eh?"
I denied it obstinately.
He walked back with me. We talked of nothing but the most ordinary things on the way. I was preoccupied, almost melted. Why?... good heavens! because in a few minutes I was going to part from the only friend of my childhood, from the only fellow being who really knew me....
Should we ever see each other again?
In spite of my instinctive horror of any display of feeling, I could not help imagining that some heartfelt word would pass between us, some brotherly embrace draw us closer to each other ... and the prospect moved me.
Laquarrière soon settled the matter.