OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

THE SAILORS' RENDEZVOUS 1£5
She had never seen Adele. But she had understood. She looked
at Le Clinche, who turned away his head.
Madame Maigret's foot tapped her husband's twice.
" Should the four of us go on to the Casino? . .."
She had guessed too. But nobody answered her. Only Adfcle's
voice came from the next table.
" What a heat! " she sighed. " Take my jacket, Gaston. ..."
And she took off the jacket of her costume, revealing bare arms
and a voluptuous figure in pink satin. Her eyes did not leave Marie
Leonnec for a single moment.
" D'you like grey? Don't you think they ought to forbid people
to wear such depressing colours at the seaside? "
It was madness! Marie Leonnec was in grey. Ad&le showed she
wanted to attack her anyhow, as quickly as possible.
" Well, waiter? Are you coming today? "
Her voice was shrill. It sounded as if she were intentionally
exaggerating her vulgarity.
Gaston Buzier smelt danger. He knew his mistress. He said something
to her in a low voice. But she answered loudly:
" Well? Isn't the terrace free for everybody? "
Madame Maigret was the only one who had her back turned.
Maigret and the operator sat sideways to Adele, Marie Leonnec
was facing her.
" One person's as good as another! Only there are some people
who come crawling at your feet when you can't bear the sight of
them, and who don't even know you when they're in company!
. . ."
And she laughed disagreeably. She stared at the girl, who turned
crimson.
" How much is that, waiter? " asked Buzier, anxious to put an
end to it.
" We've plenty of time! The same again, waiter! And bring me
some peanuts. ..."
" We haven't any."
" Well, go and get some. That's what you're paid for, isn't it? "
Two other tables were occupied. Looks were cast on the new
couple, who could not pass unnoticed. Maigret was worried. He
undoubtedly wanted to put an end to this scene, which threatened
to turn out badly.
But, on the other hand, he had the operator before him, all
palpitating under his eyes.