He stopped. Then, on a sudden impulse, he said in an even softer whisper, uneasily, rather shamefacedly:
"You know, Rainette, I believe in God just as you do."
"Really?"
"Really."
He said it only out of generosity. But, as soon as he had said it, he began to believe it.
They stayed still and did not speak. They could not see each other.
Outside the night was so fair, so sweet!… The little cripple murmured:
"How good it will be when one is dead!"
He could hear Rainette's soft breathing.
He said:
"Good-night, little one."