Alexandre, a tall, stooped man, with a flowing black tie,
bows in passing with old-fashioned punctiliousness to Perron, who
apparently is unaware of his presence. Suddenly Perron starts, rubs his
eyes, and glares about._
PERRON
Alexandre! Alexandre!
ALEXANDRE
Good day, my friend. You seem distraught.
PERRON
Distraught! It was the strangest thing! But sit here with me. Do. I have
something to tell you.
ALEXANDRE
I regret exceedingly, but a stupid engagement.... Later, perhaps--
PERRON
No! No! I insist! Only a great mind like yours can explain the strange
thing which has happened.
ALEXANDRE
Ah, in that case--what is a mere business affair compared with divine
philosophy? Far from being presse, friend Perron, I have an eternity at
your service.
PERRON
First of all, tell me the exact date!
ALEXANDRE
That I can do, and not on my own authority, which in such details is often
unreliable. This morning my concierge announced with great delicacy and
feeling that to-day is Friday, the fifteenth July, and my rent is once
more due. My rent, which--
PERRON
Friday the fifteenth! Impossible!
ALEXANDRE
Alas.
Pages:
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70