OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

THE LODGER 79
" Au revoir" she said, her fingers on the door-handle.
" Right. I'll see you again later."
The manager had hardly time to step away from the keyhole,
but Sylvie walked past him as if she hadn't noticed anything.
Jacqueline was drinking champagne with two men in dinnerjackets,
an elderly man and a young one, father and son perhaps.
With a flutter of her eyelashes Sylvie conveyed to her that all was
going smoothly.
The young poet was moping in a corner; he seemed to have
given up hope of seeing her again that evening, for he looked quite
startled when he saw her coming.
" Hope you haven't been too bored," she said.
" No ... not at all. I was waiting for you." The mere sight of
her had made him blush, and to cover his confusion he asked:
" Won't you have something to drink? "
" What? Has that damned waiter taken away the glasses again?
Really he's the limit." Seeing him go by, she shouted at him:
" Henri, what do you mean by it? Didn't I tell you .. . ? "
" It doesn't matter in the least," the lad broke in.
She looked him full in the eyes, and he started blushing again.
Even his ears went scarlet. Suddenly she asked:
" Are you living with your people? "
" No. They're at Liege. I've a little room, a sort of attic really,
in the Schaerbeek district. But when my book comes out..."
The manager had left his post at the top of the stairs and entered
the dance-room so as to have a better view of Sylvie. Jacqueline
was giggling as she nibbled the green almonds which she had
persuaded die man beside her to order, and constantly throwing
questioning glances at Sylvie over her shoulder.
" Do you really like being here? " Sylvie asked.
" Well—er—not really. But so long as I'm with you . . ."
Bob, too, was staring at her; as indeed were all the staff.
Obviously the word had gfone round.
" Pay."
" Do you want me to go? "
u We'll go to your place."
" But—!" He was horrified at the idea of taking an elegant
young woman like Sylvie to his garret.
" Do what I tell you, my dear. It isn't Sunday every day of the
week."
As he counted his change he looked profoundly puzzled. It