OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

36 MAINLY MAIGRET
" A Levantine Jew," Moise amended. " That's not the same
thing.'
" Why not? "
" Oh, it's hard to explain; but there's a difference."
" Of course he's very dark, and you are really rather fair. ..."
There were footsteps in the hall, followed by a light tap on the
kitchen door. Elie came in, and halted for a moment, blinking at
the light and the already overcrowded table,
" You've met my lodgers, haven't you? Let me introduce my
husband, who works on the State Railway."
Baron rose, held out his hand punctiliously and tugged at his
long grey moustache. He was collarless, and a brass-capped stud
glinted in the neck-band of his shirt.
" Sit down, Monsieur Elie. You must be dreadfully hungry.
You haven't had a bite since this morning."
He sat down at the end of the table, facing Baron, taking that
seat as if it fell to him by right. Domb looked away deliberately;
while Antoinette seemed fascinated by the dark rings round the
new-comer's eyes. Moise said to him, but without much show of
interest:
" You're from Istanbul, aren't you? "
" Well, rny parents are Portuguese. But I was born at Istanbul.
. .. You're a Pole, eh? "
" /am a Pole," Domb broke in, straightening up as if his national
anthem were being played.
Valesco hurried in, bringing a waft of scent and cold air into the
overheated room.
"Am I late?"
" You're always late."
He stopped short, seeing the new lodger in the best place, with
the array of hors-d'oeuvre in front of him. After a sniff directed at the
cutlets sizzling on the range, he looked enquiringly at Antoinette.
But she vouchsafed no explanation, while her mother pointed to
an empty chair.
" Hurry up and start your dinner."
The walls were enamelled white, and what with the glare and
the heat Elie feJit slightly dizzy. Moise's biscuit-tin touched his
hctrs-d'ceuvre dish, and the young men were packed so tightly round
the table that they jogged each other's elbows. Domb had to move
his chair alongside Madame Baron's to make room for Valesco.
The Rumanian had fished out of his pocket a package containing