When he reflected that soon he would be leaving all this for ever, the thought seemed to cast a vague gloom upon the joy of his return.
XXXIII
It was several days since Jean had opened his box of treasures and looked at his old watch.
He was on duty in barracks, when he suddenly thought of it with a feeling of uneasiness.
He returned home, walking more rapidly than was his wont, and on his arrival he opened his box.
His heart felt a sudden shock. The watch was nowhere to be seen.... In feverish anxiety he ransacked the contents of the box.... No, it was no longer there!...
Fatou was humming a tune with an air of indifference, watching him all the time out of the corner of her eye. She was threading beads; arranging colour effects for her necklaces; busy with great preparations for the next day’s festivals, the bamboulas of Tabaski, at which one had to look one’s best.
“You have put it somewhere else? Quick, Fatou, tell me.... I had forbidden you to touch it. Where have you put it?...”
“Ram!” ... (I don’t know), answered Fatou unconcernedly.