The cocks crew. It was midnight. It was pouring; flashes of lightning, like serpents of light, shone for a second through my curtains.
“Irinel, you must come with me. Don’t you see what a beautiful day it is? I have discovered a bunch of ripe grapes which I have kept for you all the week.”
“No, merci!”
“It is impossible for you not to come. I have made up my mind to tell you something——”
“What?” replied Irinel, and turned her eyes upon me.
Who could bear such a bright light? I looked down, but revolted by such cowardice I felt the courage of a hero, and lifting my head I replied to her:
“You must come!”
In all my life I had never commanded anyone. I was ordering her!
It was pitch dark; it was raining outside. I turned towards the wall. I closed my eyes. It was light. It was a beautiful Sunday. And still full of that courage I said to her once more:
“You must come!”