Милый друг
Death and a Proposal
Hegraspedthearmsofhischairandsaidinalowvoice:"Shutthewindow.Iwouldratherdieinacellar."
Hiswifeslowlyclosedthewindow,thenleanedherbrowagainstthepaneandlookedout.Duroy,illatease,wishedtoconversewiththeinvalidtoreassurehim,buthecouldthinkofnowordsofcomfort.Hestammered:"Haveyounotbeenbettersinceyouarehere?"
Hisfriendshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently:"Youwillseeverysoon."Andhebowedhisheadagain.
Duroycontinued:"Athomeitisstillwintry.Itsnows,hails,rains,andissodarkthattheyhavetolightthelampsatthreeo’clockintheafternoon."
Forestierasked:"Isthereanythingnewattheoffice?"
"Nothing.TheyhavetakenlittleLacrinofthe‘Voltaire’tofillyourplace,butheisincapable.Itistimeyoucameback."
Theinvalidmuttered:"I?Iwillsoonbewritingundersixfeetofsod."Alongsilenceensued.
Mme.Forestierdidnotstir;shestoodwithherbacktotheroom,herfacetowardthewindow.AtlengthForestierbrokethesilenceinagaspingvoice,heartrendingtolistento:"HowmanymoresunsetsshallIsee—eight—ten—fifteen—twenty—orperhapsthirty—nomore.Youhavemoretime,youtwo—asforme—allisatanend.AndeverythingwillgoonwhenIamgoneasifIwerehere."Hepausedafewmoments,thencontinued:"EverythingthatIseeremindsmethatIshallnotseethemlong.Itishorrible.
