calculations on his blotting-paper with a violet lead
pencil. Never had he felt more excited in his life,
and yet never more wretched, because undecided.
Ought he to let this new land go for less than the last
lot? It actually adjoined Beauvais* boundary, there-
fore why should he have to sell it for less, when the
world might contain other crazy artists? But those
swift calculations were going to his head, for at times
strong drink is less raging than riches; only think of
the proportions his balance would reach could he
but bring himself to accept his friend's offer! Think of
seeing the total in neat black and white whenever he
cared to open his bank-book! And supposing he
refused and then could not sell after all — supposing
no one else wished to buy? What a strain it was this
amassing of wealth: it was really enough to drive one
demented. Poor Hermitte alternately ruffled his
hair, bit his nails, and sucked at his violet lead pencil;
avaricious yet doubtful he mentally writhed on the
horns of this distressing dilemma. In the end they
came to a compromise, Kahn agreeing to pay him
five hundred francs more than the price which he had
originally offered; whereupon Hermitte puffed out
his cheeks and looked sly, considering himself a jvery
shrewd fellow.
And now people were talking from morning until
night, Kahn's name being constantly heard at the
cafes. Ho, ho, but he must be exceedingly rich; a
grand shop all done up at his own expense, and then
land upon which he was going to build villas! And
what if he did not attend Holy Mass, he sent generous
subscriptions to Monsieur le Cure —this they knew
for a fact. A good fellow he was, and anxious to
further everyone's interest. Saint Raphael indeed!
very proud of itself, very proud of its train de luxe
from Paris. Pou, wait a bit —just wait a few years
till the bathing was in full swing at Saint Loup;
275