The Gobi Desert Read Free Book Online Page B

have flown by. Besides, it’s not his fault. He left me free to choose the day of my departure, and the ship at the same time. I chose the date which I thought would suit us best. But I admire you! Without seeming to, you know all about it, dear Michel. Ah! if you had taken the trouble. If you had wanted . . .
    There was a knock at the door and Mme Domestici came in. Under that awful snow-filled sky there was nothing more gloomy than her Spanish shawl with its red and yellow flowers. And what sort of oil had the old dear put on herself to make her hair shine?
    â€˜I’m not too early am I?’ she said in a simpering tone. ‘Look what I’ve brought you! Some champagne glasses. A young couple is often in need of some little things. I know what it’s like.’
    â€˜You’re very kind’ said Alzire. ‘Michel, help Mme Domestici.’
    I would rather have thrown her champagne glasses in the old witch’s face! Nonetheless I obeyed, with all the eagerness that one can imagine. I set about the task of opening one of the bottles, equally unhurriedly, I can assure you. I was beginning to have enough astonishment, without having had any champagne. If anyone had told me that, a few hours earlier! . . . . What a day, yes, what a strange day it was turning out to be!
    â€˜Well dear, I suppose you’re happy,’ said Mme Domestici to Alzire, her eyes shining and her lips moist. ‘Well, that’s life! One day everything is black, the next day all is well. You think all is lost, then everything becomes clear. And you, Mr Michel? Are you a little bit sad? That goes without saying. But you shouldn’t be, you really shouldn’t! This is only a temporary separation, and a necessary one. What she is doing, the dear girl, is in the interests of both of you.’
    I didn’t bother to reply. I turned my back on her and went to the window. My nose against the window pane, I looked down onto the street, indifferent to what I saw. But it was better like that. Such a dreary spectacle, just what I needed to cheer up a miserable and aimless soul like mine! For those who drag around with them an excess of gaiety, I recommend a little winter stay in Fouzan. They will soon get rid of their baggage there. The fumes from the port hung over the dark black sea. The skeletal Korean children, in their pathetic white tee-shirts, were arguing in the mud over a nameless piece of refuse with some dogs which were in an equally bad way as themselves. This picturesque scene was completed by some lepers who passed by from time to time, their rattles in their hands. There was one of them who looked up and saw me. He smiled at me, with his awful mouth eaten away. I couldn’t stand it anymore, and drew the curtain.
    â€˜Ah! At last, here he is, that naughty sulking man who has come back to keep the ladies company! But we haven’t waited for him to open the second bottle, oh no! Listen to me Mr Michel, or rather just plain Michel. You don’t mind if I call you that, do you?’
    â€˜That is something which perhaps I shall see the point of later on,’ I said with a pleasant smile. ‘But for the moment . . .’
    â€˜Huh! Such a rude man! But it doesn’t matter, we’ll forgive him, won’t we Alzire? He’s upset. Who wouldn’t be in his place? Despite himself we must cheer him up, this big baby. Ah, but he is right to be in love with her, his Alzire! If only he knew what she had done for him! Why don’t you tell him, my dear? But would you prefer that I should tell him? Well then, for as long as she is Macao, you should know, Michel, that the Hotel Domestici is yours. You will be waited on like the daughter of the house. No weekly bill to pay. No getting up at the crack of dawn to avoid meeting that poor Mme Domestici. If you imagine that I haven’t noticed your little game! Just take a look now and then at the accounts for me, as I’m getting old.