OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

THE LODGER 87
ma... . Somehow it made me think of yours, Monsieur Moise. Of
course, if all he had to fear was being sent to prison, it would be
quite different. You see what I mean, don't you? "
She had started peeling onions again and her eyes were watery,
though not now with tears. She was still snuffling a little, but her
composure was returning.
" Good gracious! I'll never have the lunch ready in time at this
rate. . . . We've Monsieur Domb and Monsieur Valesco to think of,
don't forget. If there's anything about him in the papers, they're
bound to notice. If that happens, I'd rather it was you who told
them."
Her thoughts took a new turn.
" Have you seen Antoinette about? "
" I heard her going to her bedroom just now."
She opened the door and shouted: " Antoinette! "
No answer. No sound of an opening door overhead. Still carrying
her kitchen-knife, Madame Baron hurried up the stairs.
" What are you doing up there? "
Antoinette was doing nothing. There was no heating of any kind
in her room, and though the skylight was shut tight, cold air kept
seeping in, owing, perhaps, to the thinness of the glass.
Antoinette was lying on her bed, gazing up at the slanted ceiling.
" Why didn't you answer when I called? "
Never before had Madame Baron seen that strange, set look in
her daughter's eyes, or her face so deathly calm. Indeed there was
something so disquieting about it that she hurried to the bed and
gave her arm a little tug.
" Well? What do you want? " the girl said fretfully.
" You gave me quite a turn! Come downstairs. You'll catch your
death of cold if you stay up here. .. . Why are you looking at me
like that? "
" Where is he? "
" In his room." How was she to explain things to her daughter?
" You wouldn't understand," she said vaguely, " but I've my
reasons. I've told him he can stay a few days longer. But you're
not to have anything to do with him. If he speaks to you, don't
answer."
Antoinette seemed to wake up with a start, giving her head a
curious backward jerk, as if her neck had gone numb and she had
to free it.
" What I can't get over," fcer mother said, " is the silliness of