Marie stiffened: 'I do not know what that can be,
but whatever it is you shall not say it. Ah> no, I will
not let you into this house in order that you may once
more insult Jouse. Never again shall you enter our
house.' And she made to close the door in his face.
"Enough misery you have brought us;5 she told him.
But at this Kahn thrust his foot through the door
with a sudden gesture of desperation: 'Let me in!*
he clamoured; 'I am here to bring help. I am here
to undo a very great wrong, I am here. . . /
At that moment Christophe came from the work-
shop.
Marie turned to him: 'This man demands to come
in; he pretends that he wishes to offer us help, that
he now feels regret.'
'Let him come/ said Christophe.
Marie stared at her son, incredulous. and angry,
then she stood aside and allowed Kahn to pass her,
not knowing why she obeyed the boy, conscious
only that his gaze was resting upon her.
'It is your father I want . . .' faltered Kahn.
'My father it is who wants you/ answered Chris-
tophe.
He led the way up the rickety stairs and into
Jouse9 s comfortless bedroom: 'Father, I have brought
Anatole Kahn. There is something he very much
wishes to tell you.'
Jouse automatically tried to rise, as always when
he was agitated, but the effort failed and he lay
white and still. 'Sit down, Anatole Kahn/ he
mumbled.
Kahn pulled up a chair, and as he did so he was
conscious of a new and distressing sensation, for self-
pity is easier far to endure than the pity a man must
feel for another.
'Benedit . . .' he stammered, 'it is . . . it is. . . .'
'I think that my father.knows/ said Christophe.
381