... God! How awful it is in this carriage! Who is it who is groaning
like that? It's maddening! And then, all this would never have happened
if they had only brought the coffee at the right time. Well now, a
wretched 77... oh, no! Who is it who is groaning like that? God, another
jolt! No, no, man, we are not salad. Take care there. My kidneys are all
smashed.
Ah! now something is dripping on my nose. Hi! You up there, what's
happening? He doesn't answer. I suppose it's blood, all this mess.
Now again, some one is beginning to squeal like a pig. By the way, can
it be me? What! it was I who was groaning! Upon my word, it's a little
too strong, that! It was I myself who was making all the row, and I did
not know it. It's odd to hear oneself screaming.
Ah! now it's stopping, their beastly motor.
Look, there's the sun! What's that tree over there? I know, it's a
Japanese pine. Well, you see, I'm a gardener, old chap. Oh, oh, oh! My
back! What will Felicie say to me?
Look, there's Felicie coming down to the washing trough. She pretends
not to see me.... I will steal behind the elder hedge. Felicie! Felicie!
I have a piece of a 77 in my kidneys. I like her best in her blue
bodice.
What are you putting over my nose, you people? It stinks horribly. I am
choking, I tell you. Felicie, Felicie. Put on your blue bodice with the
white spots, my little Feli... Oh, but... oh, but...!
Oh, the Whitsuntide bells already! God--the bells already... the Whitsun
bells... the bells....