That Devil's Madness by Dominique Wilson Read Free Book Online Page A

fluttered. Along the outer edge was a pleated trim. Something about the parasol reminded Louis of his mother – but then, everything reminded him of his mother. He felt tears welling in his eyes and quickly wiped them away. He mustn’t cry anymore; he’d cried enough on this journey, when sure his father was asleep. But his father hadn’t cried, and now he too must act like a man. Once more he examined the parasol. No, his mother would never have owned a parasol – the women of Sablières had no use for such frippery. It was more the femininity of it, the softness of the material… He thought it must be expensive. He’d better give it to the butcher.
    â€˜Eh, well, it’s not mine. Not my colour at all,’ the rotund little man said with a laugh.
    â€˜But it must belong to someone. They might need it.’
    â€˜And just how do you want me to return it, hey, young man? Do you know how many people I have staying in that room of yours? Every day, someone new. They come, they go… How do you think I’m going to find this lady?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’
    â€˜No, I don’t either. Who knows where she is now. And anyway, if she can afford a parasol, she can probably buy another, non ?’
    Louis shrugged. He didn’t know much about parasols.
    â€˜Why don’t you keep it, young man? You never know, you might meet a young lady one day. One who would appreciate such a thing, yes?’
    Back in his room Louis considered the parasol; he would put it away with his watch-chain. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the chain, wanting to admire it beside the parasol, but saw the gold links were turning green, and the silver links black. He spat on the corner of his shirt and rubbed each link, but no matter how hard he rubbed, he couldn’t make them shine. He remembered his father’s comment in the market square – he’d known straight away the chain wasn’t made of gold or silver. He must think Louis such a fool! And he was a fool, to waste what little money he’d had on such rubbish, when he didn’t even have a watch. In one angry movement he threw the chain out of the window and curled into a ball on the bed.
    #
    It was dark when Marius returned and found Louis fast asleep. He felt the boy’s forehead – it was cool, and there was colour back in the boy’s cheeks.
    â€˜Louis, wake up. Are you awake? Well, sit up. I have news.’
    â€˜You have our land? What’s it like? Is it far?’
    Marius sat on the bed and opened up a package he’d brought, from which he took out two brown rolls and a small piece of cheese which he broke in half. He handed Louis his share. ‘Ha! The Government – they say they want to offer us land, want us to develop this country, but they’re all a pack of liars. But first, how’re you feeling?’
    â€˜Much better, but what happened? Didn’t they give you the land?’ Louis took a bite of bread and of cheese. ‘Are we going back to Sablières?’
    â€˜No, no, we’re not going back. But I did refuse the land they offered me. Land, ha! More like a solid piece of rock. They must think we’re stupid, but I told them – not even enough soil to grow weeds for goats, I said.’
    â€˜So we are going back.’
    â€˜No. I said no, didn’t I? It so happens that there’s better land just out of Aïn Azel, about 15 kilometres out of Sétif.’
    â€˜Where’s that?’
    â€˜A few days east of here – about two hundred kilometres as the crow flies. But this land’s not free – I had to buy it.’
    â€˜But we don’t have any money.’
    â€˜We came to an agreement and I signed some papers. They’re keen to settle that part of the country, but I’m not stupid – I checked around first. Asked people who’d been there. The land’s all right. Rich, in fact. We agreed