OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

84 MAINLY MAIGRET
spread out, his fingers scrabbling on the counterpane, and he went
on screaming, arching his body like someone in convulsions. Now
and again, between the screams, came that low, desperate, whimpered,
" Mother!"
Madame Baron glanced nervously towards the window, fearing
passers-by would hear; then back again at the writhing form on the
bed.
" Steady on! " she said, and was surprised by the sound of her
voice. " If you go on making that noise we'll have all the neighbours
in." She took a step towards him, and added in a less assured tone:
" You know, you can't possibly stay on in this house."
She took off her hat wearily and dropped it on the table.
" Now do try to pull yourself together. You've still time to get
away without being caught."
She walked hastily to the door, and listened; then turned the key
and came back to the bed.
" Please pay attention, Monsieur Elie. I'm speaking for your own
good...."
•
The kitchen was empty, the alarm-clock ticking away for its
own benefit alone, the kettle singing to itself, filling the air with
steam. Now and then a shower of red cinders would rattle through
the grate into the ashpan. The window-panes were misted over.
Only one end of the table was laid—at Elie's place—and his
breakfast, two eggs and a slice of bacon, stood waiting to be cooked
on a plate beside the range.
The shopping-bag, from which the heads of a bundle of leeks
protruded, remained where Madame Baron had left it, beside the
hall door.
The only sounds in the room were the ticking of the clock and an
occasional tinkle of the kettle-lid. Never had the house seemed so
forsaken. Every door was shut, and for once no pails of water, no
mops or brooms were lying about in the passage* There was an
atmosphere of hushed suspense, like that when some great domestic
event is impending—when, for instance, everyone is waiting for
a woman to have a baby.
Presently a sound of footsteps came from Elie's bedroom. The
door emitted a loud creak, as though it were beinp opened for the
first time for years. Carrying her hat, Madame Baron walked past