OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

THE LODGER 49
" Hope I'm not intruding? "
" What's come over you? "
" And look here, when you give me stockings, you might at
least bring silk ones! Monsieur Elie, the best thing you can do is to
go straight to bed."
She was obviously determined to remain in the kitchen—if only
to spite her sister.
" Will you be here for lunch, Sylvie? "
" Don't think so."
" Then why ever did you come? ... Monsieur Elie, if you must
stay in the kitchen, you might at least sit down. It makes me quite
giddy seeing you standing up, with your head cocked on one side."
" I see your manners haven't improved," Sylvie remarked.
" Why should they? I ain't a grand lady, I don't wear silk
stockings."
A long silence followed. The soup began to simmer again, filling
the air with steam.
" Look here, I must know if you're staying to lunch because if
you are Til go out and buy a beefsteak."
" Don't bother."
Antoinette's gaze fell on the soup-tureen on the dresser. After a
quick glance at her sister she walked up to it. She had noticed that
the lid had heen replaced carelessly, at a slant. Lifting it, she
fumbled inside, opened the purse, and seemed reassured.
" What are you up to? " Sylvie asked.
" Oh, nothing. But I might ask you that, mightn't I? It's funny
you should come all the way from Brussels just to spend a few
minutes in a kitchen that stinks of cabbage soup."
Sylvie merely shrugged her shoulders, and said to Elie:
" Give me a cig."
Antoinette kept her eyes fixed on her.
" You'd rather I left you to yourselves, wouldn't you? ... All
right, I'll go."
The moment her sister had left, Sylvie bent towards him, asking:
" Have you told her anything? "
"Not likely!"
" Anyhow, get this into your head, Elie:you've got to go\ ...
You understand?"
Just then the door opened, and she drew back hastily. Very spick
and span as usual, Domb clicked his heels together and, stooping,
kissed the hand she extended to h\m.