The majestic express thundered into the station. It stopped, all the breaks creaking. The passengers got out in bad tempers, to go to the custom-house. I had the luck to find places for my party; a priest with a scared face questioned me in German:
"Revitziônne," I said.
"Ya, ya."
He hurled himself into the corridor with his hands full of packages.
Having settled themselves in, the ladies thanked me. A particular gentleness distinguished Jeannine's tone; she announced once more that we should soon meet again; besides, whatever happened, couldn't we agree to exchange ... post-cards? I vowed myself charmed by the idea, and took note of a double address at Cape d'Antibes and at St. Mandé.
It would soon be time to start. I left the carriage and went and leant on the door where the window had been let down.
We had no more to say to each other. I wished the train would get under way.
Jeannine pulled a roguish face:
"We are keeping you standing there ... when your papers have just arrived...."