OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

182 MAINLY MAIGRET
But the girl didn't seem to hear. She merely stared at it, till
finally her sister took it from her hands.
" It was written from the training-ship/' she said, gravely and
with dignity. " There's no date, only the time, six o'clock, and
then:
" My little Beetje,—It would be better if you did not come this
evening because my chief is coming for a cup of tea with us.
" Till tomorrow. Love."
Madame Popinga looked round her with an air of calm defiance.
She picked up another letter. Slowly she read:
" Pretty little Beetje,—You must calm yourself. Life is long and
there's lots of time ahead. I've a lot of work on hand just now
because of the exams. I shan't be able to come this evening.
" Why are you always accusing me of not loving you? You
don't expect me to chuck up the training-ship, do you? What could
we do?
" Don't get excited. We've plenty of time before us. With an
affectionate kiss ..."
Maigret waved his hand as much as to say that they had heard
enough. But Madame Popinga took up another.
" There's this one," she said. " I think it must be the last he wrote.
" My Beetje,—It's quite impossible. Do please be reasonable.
You know I have no money and that it might take ages to find a
post abroad.
" Don't let yourself get so worked up. You must have confidence
in the future. Everything will come right.
" Don't be frightened. If what you fear happened, I wouldn't
let you down.
" I'm afraid I am rather irritable as I have so much work to do,
and when I think of you, work goes badly. Yesterday I was hauled
over the coals about something, and I'm rather upset about it.
" I'll try and get off tomorrow evening on some pretext or
other."
•
Madame Popinga looked from one to the other of the people
standing round her. Her eyes were dim. She looked tired, dead