From his eyes and manner he looked as if he were half drunk.
I thanked the woman, and went out to the car, for I was in a fever to take advantage of this unexpected bit of luck.

I could hear the post-mistress enjoining Franz not to keep the gentleman waiting, and presently he came out and flopped into the driver's seat.

We started in a series of voluptuous curves, till his eyes got accustomed to the darkness.
At first we made good going along the straight, broad highway lined with woods on one side and on the other snowy fields melting into haze.
Then he began to talk, and, as he talked, he slowed down.

This by no means suited my book, and I seriously wondered whether I should pitch him out and take charge of the thing.

He was obviously a weakling, left behind in the conscription, and I could have done it with one hand.