Милый друг

           Turningtotheleft,theyenteredakindofcoveredgardeninwhichtwolargefountainswereplaying.Undertheyews,menandwomensatattablesdrinking.

           "Anotherglassofbeer?"askedForestier.

           "Gladly."

           Theytooktheirseatsandwatchedthepromenaders.Occasionallyawomanwouldstopandaskwithacoarsesmile:"Whathaveyoutooffer,sir?"

           Forestier’sinvariableanswerwas:"Aglassofwaterfromthefountain."Andthewomanwouldmutter,"Goalong,"andwalkaway.

           Atlastthebrunettereappeared,arm-in-armwiththeblonde.Theymadeahandsomecouple.TheformersmiledonperceivingDuroy,andtakingachairshecalmlyseatedherselfinfrontofhim,andsaidinaclearvoice:"Waiter,twoglasses."

           Inastonishment,Forestierexclaimed:"Youarenotatallbashful!"

           Shereplied:"Yourfriendhasbewitchedme;heissuchafinefellow.Ibelievehehasturnedmyhead."

           Duroysaidnothing.

           Thewaiterbroughtthebeer,whichthewomenswallowedrapidly;thentheyrose,andthebrunette,noddingherheadandtappingDuroy’sarmwithherfan,saidtohim:"Thankyou,mydear!However,youarenotverytalkative."

           Astheydisappeared,Forestierlaughedandsaid:"Tell,me,oldman,didyouknowthatyouhadacharmfortheweakersex?Youmustbecareful."

           Withoutreplying,Duroysmiled