[The Island Pharisees by John Galsworthy]@TWC D-Link bookThe Island Pharisees CHAPTER X 8/13
Another hour passes, and back he comes again. "'Still here ?' says he.
'Fetch a sergeant.' "The sergeant comes. "'Sergeant,' says the consul, 'turn this creature out.' "'Sergeant,' I say, 'this house is France!' Naturally, I had calculated upon that.
In Germany they're not too fond of those who undertake the business of the French. "'He is right,' says the sergeant; 'I can do nothing.' "'You refuse ?' "'Absolutely.' And he went away. "'What do you think you'll get by staying ?' says my consul. "'I have nothing to eat or drink, and nowhere to sleep,' says I. "'What will you go for ?' "'Ten marks.' "'Here, then, get out!' I can tell you, monsieur, one must n't have a thin skin if one wants to exploit consuls." His yellow fingers slowly rolled the stump of his cigarette, his ironical lips flickered.
Shelton thought of his own ignorance of life. He could not recollect ever having gone without a meal. "I suppose," he said feebly, "you've often starved." For, having always been so well fed, the idea of starvation was attractive. Ferrand smiled. "Four days is the longest," said he.
"You won't believe that story.... It was in Paris, and I had lost my money on the race-course.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|