Mir£io had lain for nearly ten years at peace in the
merciful earth of Provence: 'She is happy — why are
you weeping?9 he asked.

And Marie answered: 'Because of the ointment,
and because I did not quite understand. . . .*

Then Christophe knew that his mother must weep
for a sorrow which she had failed to share with
him. Very gently he stroked her tired, wet face:
clt is never too late to understand/ he told her.

457