'I fear I am the bearer of very grave tidings. I fear
. . .' there ensued a long, meaning pause.
Then Jouse said with a malicious grin: 'Do not
tell us that you have been excommunicated!3
'That remark is in very bad taste/ she informed
him, 'and I do not propose to discuss religion. I
have come to tell you that Anatole Kahn is about to
open a furnishing business.*
*And who may he be?5 enquired Jouse blandly.
That you surely must know, for the whole town is
talking. He has bought the big corner shop next to
mine, the shop of Monsieur Dubois, the grocer.5
'Attendez. . . .5 murmured Jouse, pretending to
think hard5 'I remember, he has just installed a fine
bathroom. The sea was too small for him, I have
heard —not sufficiently wet, not quite enough
water. . . .5
cHe will also install many other fine things, and
more is the pity,5 Madame Roustan said tartly. Then
before her brother had time to reply, she plunged into
an animated description of the future of Saint Loup,
according to Kahn, and of all that this prophet would
most certainly sell in his handsome and up-to-date
shop on the corner.
'But5 said Marie, interrupting, 'who will buy his
cheap rubbish when my husband here gives such fine
value for money? Honest tables and chairs and all
made by hand. ... I fear that your poor Monsieur
Kahn is foolish. In Saint Loup we know where it
is wise to spend.5 And she laughed a little, nodding
her head. Then: 'A small glass of wine, Germaine?5
she suggested.
But Christophe was not deceived by the laugh:
cShe is frightened,5 he thought, 'she is really very
frightened.5
Jouse said, as he yawned and stretched his great
legs: 'You come here, my sister, with what you
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