OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

100 MAINLY MAIGRET
the festive aspect of the room. Antoinette had disposed the presents
in a little pile beside Baron's plate.
" Hadn't you better powder your face, Ma? "
" Does it show—that I've been crying? " Then she added rather
sadly: " Hasn't Sylvie sent him anything at all, not even a birthdaycard?"
Elie watched the tram come to a stop. The windows were misted
over and the body of the vehicle hid the people getting down from
it. When it started again, with the usual clanging of its bell, he
saw Baron crossing the street.
The rattle of a latch-key. Heavy footsteps in the hall. Holding
his door ajar, Elie heard Antoinette say:
" Happy returns, Pa."
There followed a sound of kisses, a confused murmur of voices.
Upstairs, too, on the dark landings, the young men were leaning
over the banisters, listening to the noises on the ground floor,.
Elie was the first to enter the kitchen, his huge bouquet in one
hand, the tiny package in the other.
" Monsieur Baron, please accept my wishes for many happy
returns of the day."
The bouquet was far too grandiose for the humble little kitchen,
and, grasping it awkwardly between his stubby fingers, Baron gazed
at it with stupefaction. At last he stammered out some words:
" Really, Monsieur Elie, I don't know what came over you! It's
much too fine for the likes of me."
He turned the small packet over in his hands, at a loss what to
say or do. Then, lumbering up to Elie, he kissed him, once on
each cheek—or, rather, brushed it with his bristly moustache.
" Well, I must say, I never expected ..."
Madame Baron went into the hall.
" Monsieur Moise! Monsieur Domb! Monsieur Valesco!
Dinner's waiting."
The socks were unpacked, and duly approved; and then the
necktie. But when Baron undid Elie's packet he went into transports
of delight.
" Why, it's a * Parker'! A real one, not the imitation! "
While Elie beamed, Antoinette, lobking thoroughly unhappy,
reached towards the other fountain-pen, which was still in its
wrappings. But her father noticed the gesture.
"What are you up to, you little rogue? "
He was in high good-humour. But when he opened the box and