OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

20 MAINLY MAI-GKET
When the train stopped he jumped up with a start, for he had
fallen asleep. He heard shouts on the platform. But he was too worn
out to move. Every Jimb was aching and he could feel the fever of
his blood. After a few minutes the train started again.
" When we get to Compiegne..." No, that was silly. They
had just left Cpmpiegne. In an hour they would be at Paris.
He had no plans. He didn't even try to concoct one. All he
wanted was to lie down and sleep. But that absurd jingle was runrning
in his fuddled brain: " I forgot to shut the window ... And
when we get to Compiegne . .."
By now they must be quite near Paris, crossing the outer suburbs.
With a great effort he struggled to his feet, went out of the lavatory
and pressed his face to a window. Blocks of tall, five-storey apartment-houses
loomed up beside the line, against a background of
vague fields. There were some lighted windows, probably those of
rooms where workers lived, who had to make an early start.
No one was in the corridor Then a railway employee appeared
at the far end and walked past without looking at him. The glass
was so cold that he took his forehead from it; it seemed to be
freezing his brain.
" I forgot to shut the window ... to shut the window ..."
Someone dived into the lavatory and the door hit Elie in the
back. There was a sound of running water. A woman came up and
tried to open the door, in spite of the notice " Engaged."
Then came a series of tunnels. Elie had a brief glimpse of a
brightly lighted tramcar swinging up a muddy street. Here, too,
there was no snow,
A countrywoman, laden with bundles, stepped out into the
-corridor and took her stand beside him. The train was slowing
down; it was entering the Gare du Nord and its rumble swelled
to a hollow roar under the high vaulted roof.
Before it stopped Elie opened the door and halted on the step.
The woman behind him tapped him on Yhe shoulder.
"Take care!"
He jumped off, but be was not the first to alight. Already a
passenger was hurrying to the Way Out, suitcajse in hand. The
ticket-collector took his ticket without a word. X-ooking round,
Elie saw another train, which people were entering, on the next
platform. On a notice-board fastened to the side of a third-class
carriage he read '' Nemw Ltige, Cologne, Btrlm"
No one was watching him.