less important, with time non-existent. In the
carpenter's shop worked the new apprentice; he was
very consumptive, shy and respectful. Christophe
helped the poor devil to shift a plank.
Kahn looked round from his bench: cThere is no
need to help him, he is not so weak as he appears —
eh, my friend?5
'Decidedly not,' agreed the apprentice.
Kahn talked of the business, all was going quite
well, the apprentice had the makings of a first class
joiner: 'And you find the work easy, is that not so,
my friend?'
'Decidedly easy,' agreed the apprentice.
Before dinner Kahn drew Christophe aside: 'Just
one little word — I will do what I can, all I can. You
believe me?'
Christophe held out his hand and Kahn grasped it
a moment. Then they lit cigarettes and spoke of the
weather: it was sultry, they said. Whereupon the
Recording Angel lost interest.
Dinner over, the new apprentice washed up: 'Per-
mit me, Madame/ he suggested, blushing deeply,
'perhaps Madame would like to go out for a little;
it is somewhat hot to-day in this kitchen.'
Marie turned to Christophe: 'And you, will you
come?'
*Yes,3 he answered, and must smile at so foolish a
question.
They walked towards Eusebe's vineyards. It was
she who had chosen this direction and when they
were come to the edge of the vines she said quietly:
'Show me Mireio's grave.'
He glanced at her, unable to hide his surprise,
and she thought: 'He cannot believe that I care.
Ai! las, ai! las, and now I do care, for surely Mireio
also loved him.5
Together they went and stood by the spot where
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