He grew perceptibly thinner.
Now the jokers asked him to tell the story of "The Piece of String" for their amusement, as a soldier who has seen service is asked to tell about his battles. His mind, attacked at its source, grew feebler.
Late in December he took to his bed.
In the first days of January he died, and in his delirium, of the death agony, he protested his innocence, repeating:
"A little piece of string—a little piece of string—see, here it is, m'sieu' mayor."
NOTES
[1] The Piece of String was written in 1884. Reprinted from Little French Masterpieces, by permission of the publishers, G.P. Putnam's Sons.
[2] 34:5 char-à-bancs. A pleasure car.
[3] 35:26 Angelus. A bell tolled at morning, noon, and night, according to the Roman Catholic Church custom, to indicate the time of the service of song and recitation in memory of the Virgin Mary. The name is taken from the first word of the recitation.
[4] 35:30 cabriolet. A cab. Originally a light, one-horse pleasure carriage with two seats.