31 9 fit fermer les grilles: cf. note to 7 25.
31 13 On s'inscrivait: inscrire = 'to inscribe,' 'to enter,' as on a register; s'inscrire= 'to enter one's name.'
31 15 Socrate: ' Socrates,' famous Athenian philosopher(470-400 B.C.), convicted of impiety and of corrupting the youth, was condemned to drink the poisonous hemlock. He conversed calmly with his friends until the end. See Plato's "Apology," "Crito," and " Phaedo."
31 16 ciguë. the diaeresis is written over the e to show that the u is pronounced, [sigy]; contrast the pronunciation of figue.
31 19 comme: cf. note to 29 22.
31 20 D'entendre: 'as a result of hearing,' 'on hearing.'
31 23 hommes d'équipe: 'station hands' An équipe is a gang of men engaged on a particular piece of work.
31 25 cloche: the large bell which announced the approach of the train. On words for 'bell' cf. note to 29 10.
31 31 monta dans un wagon: 'got into a car' Monter is always followed by dans when used in this sense, cf. entrer dans une maison 'to enter a house' cf. note to 94 9.
31 32 pensèrent mourir = faillirent mourir (cf. 15 13): 'almost died.'