OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

32 MAINLY MAIGRET
" Excuse me. Can I speak to Madame Baron? "
" I'm Madame Baron/'
Holding a scrubbing-brush in her right hand, she took a long
look at him,
" It's about the room." He pointed to the notice fixed to the
window with strips of stamp-paper.
" Please step inside. Would you kindly wait a moment in the
kitchen? "
The hall had just been washed, the red-and-yellow tiles were
clean and glossy. Three overcoats and a mackintosh hung on the
bamboo coat-stand. Elie knocked on the glazed door of the kitchen
and a male voice called: " Come in."
A young man, sitting with his feet in the oven, gazed keenly at
the new-comer. At the table sat another student, in blue-striped
pyjamas, his black hair plastered down with brilliantine. He was
spreading a slice of bread and butter with jam.
" Won't you sit down? I suppose you've come about the room
to let? "
Out in the hall Madame Baron was taking off her clogs and
wiping her hands on her apron. Voices could be heard on the under
floor, and Elie was aware of a domestic life in which he had no
part, as yet.
" Right! Now we can talk. ... But fancy coming out without an
overcoat in weather like this! You must be perished! "
" Oh, that's because I left my luggage . . ."
" You're not living in Charleroi? "
" No, I've just come from Brussels."
Automatically she was pouring out a cup of coffee for the visitor.
" Antoinette! " she shouted towards the stairs. " Go and see if
the front room's tidy."
She seemed unable to keep still for a moment. While she talked
she busied herself putting coal in the range, stirring the contents of
a saucepan, filling a sugar-bowl.
" Monsieur Valesco, didn't I ask you once for all not to come
downstairs in your pyjamas? A gentleman like you ought to know
better.... Move back a bit, Monsieur Moise. How do you think
I can get about my work with your legs stuck in the oven? "
The door opened, Antoinette came in, and gave Elie a long stare.
She was wearing a black knitted dress—obviously home-made—
that revealed the immature lines of her body, rather scraggy
shoulders, the timid curve of breasts set very wide apart, unformed