Chapter 5

           Nicolewenttothewindowandbentoverthesilltotakealookattherisingaltercationontheterrace;theAprilsunshonepinkonthesaintlyfaceofAugustine,thecook,andblueonthebutcher’sknifeshewavedinherdrunkenhand.ShehadbeenwiththemsincetheirreturntoVillaDianainFebruary.

           BecauseofanobstructionofanawningshecouldseeonlyDick’sheadandhishandholdingoneofhisheavycaneswithabronzeknobonit.Theknifeandthecane,menacingeachother,wereliketriposandshortswordinagladiatorialcombat.Dick’swordsreachedherfirst:

           "—carehowmuchkitchenwineyoudrinkbutwhenIfindyoudiggingintoabottleofChablisMoutonne—"

           "Youtalkaboutdrinking!"Augustinecried,flourishinghersabre."Youdrink—allthetime!"

           Nicolecalledovertheawning:"What’sthematter,Dick?"andheansweredinEnglish:

           "Theoldgirlhasbeenpolishingoffthevintagewines.I’mfiringher—atleastI’mtryingto."

           "Heavens!Well,don’tletherreachyouwiththatknife."

           AugustineshookherknifeupatNicole.Heroldmouthwasmadeoftwosmallintersectingcherries.

           "Iwouldliketosay,Madame,ifyouknewthatyourhusbanddrinksoverathisBastidecomparativelyasaday-laborer—"

           "Shutupandgetout!"interruptedNicole."We’llgetthegendarmes."

           "YOU’LLgetthegendarmes!Withmybrotherinthecorps!You—adisgustingAmerican?"

           InEnglishDickcalleduptoNicole:

           "GetthechildrenawayfromthehousetillIsettlethis."