'Business, Monsieur.3 And Kahn glanced round
the room noting the signs of disintegration; the worn,
sagging couch, the much-mended blind, the pane
of broken glass in the window. Then he let his gaze
rest on Jouse's frayed shirt: 'Is business unwelcome,
Monsieur?5 he asked gently.
'That depends with whom it is transacted,3 frowned
Jouse.
Without more ado Kahn seated himself: 'Benedit,3
he began, now dropping the monsieur, 'Benedit, let
us talk as man to man. From the first I seem to have
incurred your dislike — I who have always desired
your friendship. But alas, it is only too natural
perhaps, for in this world because we must struggle
to live we are apt in that struggle to injure each other.
I may well have injured your trade, Benedit ... I
have injured your trade, let us face the truth.3
'That is not the truth,3 Jouse told him sharply.
Kahn held up his hand: 'Have patience, my friend;
I do beg that you sit down and listen with patience.3
'Gramaci, and if I prefer to stand?3
'It must be as you wish, but I beg you to listen.
Benedit, I fully intend to succeed, the Galeries Kahn
are as yet in their childhood; they will grow, they
will spread out on every side, they will add depart-
ment after department. A department for this, a
department for that — perfumery, lingerie, ladies3
dresses; hats, stockings, boots and shoes, garments
for men; there shall also be a juvenile department.
You have been to the Galeries Bleues at Marseille?3
Jouse nodded, 'Very well,3 his visitor continued, 'you
have visited the Galeries Kahn of the future. This
town will grow also, its boundaries will extend, we
may take it that they are extending already for Beau-
vais3 villa will be built on the outskirts. Other villas
will follow to the west of the port in the wake of his
— my new premises with them. Ah, yes, Benedit,
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