The Snows of Kilimanjaro

THE MARVELLOUS THING IS THAT ITS painless! he sai"# !Tha$%s how &o' (now when
i$ s$ar$s#!
!Is i$ reall&)!
!A*sol'$el&# I%m awf'll& sorr& a*o'$ $he o"or $ho'+h# Tha$ m's$ *o$her &o'#!
!,on%$- .lease "on%$#!
!Loo( a$ $hem! he sai"# !Now is i$ si+h$ or is i$ s/en$ $ha$ *rin+s $hem li(e $ha$)!
The /o$ $he man la& on was in $he wi"e sha"e of a mimosa $ree an" as he loo(e" o'$ pas$ $he
sha"e on$o $he +lare of $he plain $here were $hree of $he *i+
*ir"s s0'a$$e" o*s/enel& while in $he s(& a "o1en more saile" ma(in+ 0'i/(2mo3in+
sha"ows as $he& passe"#
!The&%3e *een $here sin/e $he "a& $he $r'/( *ro(e "own! he sai"# !To"a&%s $he firs$ $ime an&
ha3e li$ on $he +ro'n"# I wa$/he" $he wa& $he& saile" 3er&
/aref'll& a$ firs$ in /ase I e3er wan$e" $o 'se $hem in a s$or&# Tha$%s f'nn& now#!!I wish &o'
wo'l"n%$! she sai"#
!I%m onl& $al(in+! he sai"# !I$%s m'/h easier if I $al(# 4'$ I "on%$ wan$ $o *o$her &o'#!
!5o' (now i$ "oesn%$ *o$her me! she sai"# !I$%s $ha$ I%3e +o$$en so 3er& ner3o's no$ *ein+ a*le
$o "o an&$hin+# I $hin( we mi+h$ ma(e i$ as eas& as we
/an 'n$il $he plane /omes#!
!Or 'n$il $he plane "oesn%$ /ome#!
!.lease $ell me wha$ I /an "o# There m's$ *e some$hin+ I /an "o#
!5o' /an $a(e $he le+ off an" $ha$ mi+h$ s$op i$ $ho'+h I "o'*$ i$# Or &o' /an shoo$ me# 5o'%re
a +oo" sho$ now# I $a'+h$ &o' $o shoo$ "i"n%$ I)!
!.lease "on%$ $al( $ha$ wa&# 6o'l"n%$ I rea" $o &o')!
!Rea" wha$)!
!An&$hin+ in $he *oo( $ha$ we ha3en%$ rea"#!
!I /an%$ lis$en $o i$! he sai"#! Tal(in+ is $he easies$# 7e 0'arrel an" $ha$ ma(es $he $ime pass#!
!I "on%$ 0'arrel# I ne3er wan$ $o 0'arrel# Le$%s no$ 0'arrel an& more# No ma$$er how ner3o's
we +e$# Ma&*e $he& will *e *a/( wi$h ano$her $r'/( $o"a&# Ma&*e
$he plane will /ome#!
!I "on%$ wan$ $o mo3e! $he man sai"# !There is no sense in mo3in+ now e8/ep$ $o ma(e i$
easier for &o'#!
!Tha$%s /owar"l&#!
!6an%$ &o' le$ a man "ie as /omfor$a*l& as he /an wi$ho'$ /allin+ him names) 7ha$%s $he 'se
of /lan+in+ me)!
!5o'%re no$ +oin+ $o "ie#!
!,on%$ *e sill&# I%m "&in+ now# As( $hose *as$ar"s#! He loo(e" o3er $o where $he h'+e fil$h&
*ir"s sa$ $heir na(e" hea"s s'n( in $he h'n/he" fea$hers#
A fo'r$h plane" "own $o r'n 0'i/(2le++e" an" $hen wa""le slowl& $owar" $he o$hers#
!The& are aro'n" e3er& /amp# 5o' ne3er no$i/e $hem# 5o' /an%$ "ie if &o' "on%$ +i3e 'p#!
!7here "i" &o' rea" $ha$) 5o'%re s'/h a *loo"& fool#!
!5o' mi+h$ $hin( a*o'$ some one else#!
!9or 6hris$%s sa(e! he sai" !$ha$%s *een m& $ra"e#!
He la& $hen an" was 0'ie$ for a while an" loo(e" a/ross $he hea$ shimmer of $he plain $o $he
e"+e of $he *'sh# There were a few Tommies $ha$ showe" min'$e
an" whi$e a+ains$ $he &ellow an" far off he saw a her" of 1e*ra whi$e a+ains$ $he +reen of
$he *'sh# This was a pleasan$ /amp 'n"er *i+ $rees a+ains$
a hill wi$h +oo" wa$er an" /lose *& a nearl& "r& wa$er hole where san" +ro'se fli+h$e" in $he
mornin+s#
!7o'l"n%$ &o' li(e me $o rea")! she as(e"# She was si$$in+ on a /an3as /hair *esi"e his /o$#
!There%s a *ree1e /omin+ 'p#
!No $han(s#!
!Ma&*e $he $r'/( will /ome#!
!I "on%$ +i3e a "amn a*o'$ $he $r'/(#!
!I "o#!
!5o' +i3e a "amn a*o'$ so man& $hin+s $ha$ I "on%$#!
!No$ so man& Harr&#!
!7ha$ a*o'$ a "rin()!
!I$%s s'ppose" $o *e *a" for &o'# I$ sai" in 4la/(%s $o a3oi" all al/ohol#
5o' sho'l"n%$ "rin(#!
!Molo-! he sho'$e"#
!5es 4wana#!
!4rin+ whis(e&2so"a#!
!5es 4wana#!
!5o' sho'l"n%$! she sai"# !Tha$%s wha$ I mean *& +i3in+ 'p# I$ sa&s i$%s
*a" for &o'# I (now i$%s *a" for &o'#!
!No! he sai"# !I$%s +oo" for me#!
So now i$ was all o3er he $ho'+h$# So now he wo'l" ne3er ha3e a /han/e
$o finish i$# So $his was $he wa& i$ en"e" in a *i/(erin+ o3er a "rin(# Sin/e
$he +an+rene s$ar$e" in his ri+h$ le+ he ha" no pain an" wi$h $he pain $he
horror ha" +one an" all he fel$ now was a +rea$ $ire"ness an" an+er $ha$ $his was $he en" of i$#
9or $his $ha$ now was /omin+ he ha" 3er& li$$le /'riosi$&#
9or &ears i$ ha" o*sesse" him: *'$ now i$ mean$ no$hin+ in i$self# I$ was
s$ran+e how eas& *ein+ $ire" eno'+h ma"e i$#
Now he wo'l" ne3er wri$e $he $hin+s $ha$ he ha" sa3e" $o wri$e 'n$il he (new eno'+h $o wri$e
$hem well# 7ell he wo'l" no$ ha3e $o fail a$ $r&in+ $o wri$e
$hem ei$her# Ma&*e &o' /o'l" ne3er wri$e $hem an" $ha$ was wh& &o' p'$ $hem off an"
"ela&e" $he s$ar$in+# 7ell he wo'l" ne3er (now now#
!I wish we%" ne3er /ome! $he woman sai"# She was loo(in+ a$ him hol"in+ $he +lass an"
*i$in+ her lip# !5o' ne3er wo'l" ha3e +o$$en an&$hin+ li(e $his in
.aris# 5o' alwa&s sai" &o' lo3e" .aris# 7e /o'l" ha3e s$a&e" in .aris or +one an&where# I%"
ha3e +one an&where# I sai" I%" +o an&where &o' wan$e"# If &o'
wan$e" $o shoo$ we /o'l" ha3e +one shoo$in+ in H'n+ar& an" *een /omfor$a*le#!
!5o'r *loo"& mone&! he sai"#
!Tha$%s no$ fair! she sai"# !I$ was alwa&s &o'rs as m'/h as mine# I lef$ e3er&$hin+ an" I wen$
where3er &o' wan$e" $o +o an" I%3e "one wha$ &o' wan$e"
$o "o 4'$ I wish we%" ne3er /ome here#!
!5o' sai" &o' lo3e" i$#!
!I "i" when &o' were all ri+h$# 4'$ now I ha$e i$# I "on%$ see wh& $ha$ ha" $o happen $o &o'r
le+# 7ha$ ha3e we "one $o ha3e $ha$ happen $o 's)!
!I s'ppose wha$ I "i" was $o for+e$ $o p'$ io"ine on i$ when I firs$ s/ra$/he" i$# Then I "i"n%$
pa& an& a$$en$ion $o i$ *e/a'se I ne3er infe/$# Then la$er
when i$ +o$ *a" i$ was pro*a*l& 'sin+ $ha$ wea( /ar*oli/ sol'$ion when $he o$her an$isep$i/s
ran o'$ $ha$ paral&1e" $he min'$e *loo" 3essels an" s$ar$e"
$he +an+rene#! He loo(e" a$ her !7ha$ else%!
!I "on%$ mean $ha$#!
!If we wo'l" ha3e hire" a +oo" me/hani/ ins$ea" of a half2*a(e" Ki('&' "ri3er he wo'l"
ha3e /he/(e" $he oil an" ne3er *'rne" o'$ $ha$ *earin+ in $he $r'/(#!
!I "on%$ mean $ha$#!
!If &o' ha"n%$ lef$ &o'r own people &o'r +o""amne" Ol" 7es$*'r& Sara$o+a .alm 4ea/h
people $o $a(e me on ! ;%7h& I lo3e" &o'# Tha$%s no$ fair# I lo3e
&o' now# I%ll alwa&s lo3e &o' ,on%$ &o' lo3e me)!
!No! sai" $he man# !I "on%$ $hin( so# I ne3er ha3e#!
!Harr& wha$ are &o' sa&in+) 5o'%re o'$ of &o'r hea"#!
!No# I ha3en%$ an& hea" $o +o o'$ of#!
!,on%$ "rin( $ha$! she sai"# !,arlin+ please "on%$ "rin( $ha$# 7e ha3e $o "o e3er&$hin+ we
/an#!
!5o' "o i$! he sai"# !I%m $ire"#!
Now in his min" he saw a railwa& s$a$ion a$ Kara+a$/h an" he was s$an"in+ wi$h his pa/( an"
$ha$ was $he hea"li+h$ of $he Simplon2Offen$ /'$$in+ $he "ar(
now an" he was lea3in+ Thra/e $hen af$er $he re$rea$# Tha$ was one of $he $hin+s he ha" sa3e"
$o wri$e wi$h in $he mornin+ a$ *rea(fas$ loo(in+ o'$
$he win"ow an" seein+ snow on $he mo'n$ains in 4'l+affa an" Nansen%s Se/re$ar& as(in+ $he
ol" man if i$ were snow an" $he ol" man loo(in+ a$ i$ an" sa&in+
No $ha$%s no$ snow# I$%s $oo earl& for snow# An" $he Se/re$ar& repea$in+ $o $he o$her +irls No
&o' see# I$%s no$ snow an" $hem all sa&in+ I$%s no$
snow we were mis$a(en# 4'$ i$ was $he snow all ri+h$ an" he sen$ $hem on in$o i$ when he
e3ol3e" e8/han+e of pop'la$ions# An" i$ was snow $he& $rampe"
alon+ in 'n$il $he& "ie" $ha$ win$er#
I$ was snow $oo $ha$ fell all 6hris$mas wee( $ha$ &ear 'p in $he Ga'er$al $ha$ &ear $he& li3e"
in $he woo"/'$$er%s ho'se wi$h $he *i+ s0'are por/elain
s$o3e $ha$ fille" half $he room an" $he& slep$ on ma$$resses fille" wi$h *ee/h lea3es $he $ime
$he "eser$er /ame wi$h his fee$ *loo"& in $he snow# He
sai" $he poli/e were ri+h$ *ehin" him an" $he& +a3e him woolen so/(s an" hel" $he
+en"armes $al(in+ 'n$il $he $ra/(s ha" "rif$e" o3er#
In S/hr'n1 on 6hris$mas "a& $he snow was so *ri+h$ i$ h'r$ &o'r e&es when &o' loo(e" o'$
from $he
7eins$'*e an" saw e3er& one /omin+ home from /h'r/h# Tha$ was where $he& wal(e" 'p $he
slei+h2smoo$he" 'rine2&ellowe" roa" alon+ $he ri3er wi$h $he s$eep
pine hills s(is hea3& on $he sho'l"er an" where $he& ran "own $he +la/ier a*o3e $he
Ma"lenerha's $he snow as smoo$h $o see as /a(e fros$in+ an" as li+h$
as pow"er an" he remem*ere" $he noiseless r'sh $he spee" ma"e as &o' "roppe" "own li(e a
*ir"#
The& were snow2*o'n" a wee( in $he Ma"lenerha's $ha$ $ime in $he *li11ar" pla&in+ /ar"s in
$he smo(e *& $he lan$ern li+h$ an" $he s$a(es were hi+her all
$he $ime as Herr Len$ los$ more# 9inall& he los$ i$ all# E3er&$hin+ $he
S(is/h'le mone& an" all $he season%s profi$ an" $hen his /api$al# He /o'l" see him wi$h his
lon+ nose pi/(in+ 'p $he /ar"s an" $hen openin+ !Sans Voir#!
There was alwa&s +am*lin+ $hen# 7hen $here was no snow &o' +am*le" an" when $here was
$oo m'/h &o' +am*le"# He $ho'+h$ of all $he $ime in his life he ha"
spen$ +am*lin+#
4'$ he ha" ne3er wri$$en a line of $ha$ nor of $ha$ /ol" *ri+h$ 6hris$mas "a& wi$h $he
mo'n$ains showin+ a/ross $he plain $ha$ 4ar(er ha" flown a/ross
$he lines $o *om* $he A's$rian offi/ers% lea3e $rain ma/hine2+'nnin+ $hem as $he& s/a$$ere"
an" ran# He remem*ere" 4ar(er af$erwar"s /omin+ in$o $he mess
an" s$ar$in+ $o $ell a*o'$ i$# An" how 0'ie$ i$ +o$ an" $hen some*o"& sa&in+ %%5o' *loo"&
m'r"ero's *as$ar"#%%
Those were $he same A's$rians $he& (ille" $hen $ha$ he s(ie" wi$h la$er# No no$ $he same#
Hans $ha$ he s(ie" wi$h all $ha$ &ear ha" *een in $he Kaiser
<a+ers an" when $he& wen$ h'n$in+ hares $o+e$her 'p $he li$$le 3alle& a*o3e $he saw2mill $he&
ha" $al(e" of $he fi+h$in+ on .as'*io an" of $he a$$a/( on
.er$i/ara an" Asalone an" he ha" ne3er wri$$en a wor" of $ha$# Nor of Mon$e 6orona nor $he
Se$$e 6omm'ni nor of Arsiero#
How man& win$ers ha" he li3e" in $he Vorarl*er+ an" $he Arl*er+) I$ was fo'r an" $hen he
remem*ere" $he man who ha" $he fo8 $o sell when $he& ha" wal(e"
in$o 4l'"en1 $ha$ $ime $o *'& presen$s an" $he /herr&2pi$ $as$e of +oo" (irs/h $he fas$2
slippin+ r'sh of r'nnin+ pow"er2snow on /r's$ sin+in+ %%Hi-
Ho- sai" Roll&-% % as &o' ran "own $he las$ s$re$/h $o $he s$eep "rop $a(in+ i$ s$rai+h$ $hen
r'nnin+ $he or/har" in $hree $'rns an" o'$ a/ross $he "i$/h
an" on$o $he i/& roa" *ehin" $he inn# Kno/(in+ &o'r *in"in+s loose (i/(in+ $he s(is free an"
leanin+ $hem 'p a+ains$ $he woo"en wall of $he inn $he lampli+h$
/omin+ from $he win"ow where insi"e in $he smo(& new2wine smellin+ warm$h $he& were
pla&in+ $he a//or"ion#
!7here "i" we s$a& in .aris)! he as(e" $he woman who was si$$in+ *& him in a /an3as /hair
now in Afri/a#
!A$ $he 6rillon# 5o' (now $ha$#!
!7h& "o I (now $ha$)!
!Tha$%s where we alwa&s s$a&e"#!
!No# No$ alwa&s#!
!There an" a$ $he .a3illion Henri2='a$re in S$# Germain# 5o' sai" &o' lo3e" i$ $here#!
!Lo3e is a "'n+hill! sai" Harr&# !An" I%m $he /o/( $ha$ +e$s on i$ $o /row#!
!If &o' ha3e $o +o awa&! she sai" !is i$ a*sol'$el& ne/essar& $o (ill off e3er&$hin+ &o' lea3e
*ehin") I mean "o &o' ha3e $o $a(e awa& e3er&$hin+) ,o
&o' ha3e $o (ill &o'r horse an" &o'r wife an" *'rn &o'r sa""le an" &o'r armo'r)!
!5es! he sai"# !5o'r "amne" mone& was m& armo'r# M& Swor" an" m& Armo'r#!
!,on%$#!
!All ri+h$# I%ll s$op $ha$# I "on%$ wan$ $o h'r$ &o'#%
!I$%s a li$$le *i$ la$e now#!
!All ri+h$ $hen# I%ll +o on h'r$in+ &o'# I$%s more am'sin+# The onl& $hin+ I e3er reall& li(e" $o
"o wi$h &o' I /an%$ "o now#!
!No $ha$%s no$ $r'e# 5o' li(e" $o "o man& $hin+s an" e3er&$hin+ &o' wan$e" $o "o I "i"#!
!Oh for 6hris$ sa(e s$op *ra++in+ will &o')!
He loo(e" a$ her an" saw her /r&in+#
!Lis$en! he sai"# !,o &o' $hin( $ha$ i$ is f'n $o "o $his) I "on%$ (now wh& I%m "oin+ i$# I$%s
$r&in+ $o (ill $o (eep &o'rself ali3e I ima+ine# I was
all ri+h$ when we s$ar$e" $al(in+# I "i"n%$ mean $o s$ar$ $his an" now I%m /ra1& as a /oo$ an"
*ein+ as /r'el $o &o' as I /an *e# ,on%$ pa& an& a$$en$ion
"arlin+ $o wha$ I sa&# I lo3e &o' reall&# 5o' (now I lo3e &o'# I%3e ne3er lo3e" an& one else
$he wa& I lo3e &o'#!
He slippe" in$o $he familiar lie he ma"e his *rea" an" *'$$er *&#
!5o'%re swee$ $o me#!
!5o' *i$/h! he sai"# !5o' ri/h *i$/h# Tha$%s poe$r&# I%m f'll of poe$r& now# Ro$ an" poe$r&#
Ro$$en poe$r&#!
!S$op i$# Harr& wh& "o &o' ha3e $o $'rn in$o a "e3il now)!
!I "on%$ li(e $o lea3e an&$hin+! $he man sai"# !I "on$ li(e $o lea3e $hin+s *ehin"#!
; ; ;
I$ was e3enin+ now an" he ha" *een asleep# The s'n was +one *ehin" $he hill an" $here was a
sha"ow all a/ross $he plain an" $he small animals were fee"in+
/lose $o /amp: 0'i/( "roppin+ hea"s an" swi$/hin+ $ails he wa$/he" $hem (eepin+ well o'$
awa& from $he *'sh now# The *ir"s no lon+er wai$e" on $he +ro'n"#
The& were all per/he" hea3il& in a $ree# There were man& more of $hem# His personal *o& was
si$$in+ *& $he *e"#
!Memsahi*%s +one $o shoo$! $he *o& sai"# !,oes 4wana wan$)!
!No$hin+#!
She ha" +one $o (ill a pie/e of mea$ an" (nowin+ how he li(e" $o wa$/h $he +ame she ha"
+one well awa& so she wo'l" no$ "is$'r* $his li$$le po/(e$ of
$he plain $ha$ he /o'l" see# She was alwa&s $ho'+h$f'l he $ho'+h$# On an&$hin+ she (new
a*o'$ or ha" rea" or $ha$ she ha" e3er hear"#
I$ was no$ her fa'l$ $ha$ when he wen$ $o her he was alrea"& o3er# How /o'l" a woman (now
$ha$ &o' mean$ no$hin+ $ha$ &o' sai": $ha$ &o' spo(e onl& from
ha*i$ an" $o *e /omfor$a*le) Af$er he no lon+er mean$ wha$ he sai" his lies were more
s'//essf'l wi$h women $han when he ha" $ol" $hem $he $r'$h#
I$ was no$ so m'/h $ha$ he lie" as $ha$ $here was no $r'$h $o $ell# He ha" ha" his life an" i$ was
o3er an" $hen he wen$ on li3in+ i$ a+ain wi$h "ifferen$
people an" more mone& wi$h $he *es$ of $he same pla/es an" some new ones#
5o' (ep$ from $hin(in+ an" i$ was all mar3ello's# 5o' were e0'ippe" wi$h +oo" insi"es so
$ha$ &o' "i" no$ +o $o pie/es $ha$ wa& $he wa& mos$ of $hem ha"
an" &o' ma"e an a$$i$'"e $ha$ &o' /are" no$hin+ for $he wor( &o' 'se" $o "o now $ha$ &o'
/o'l" no lon+er "o i$# 4'$ in &o'rself &o' sai" $ha$ &o' wo'l"
wri$e a*o'$ $hese people: a*o'$ $he 3er& ri/h: $ha$ &o' were reall& no$ of $hem *'$ a sp& in
$heir /o'n$r&: $ha$ &o' wo'l" lea3e i$ an" wri$e of i$ an"
for on/e i$ wo'l" *e wri$$en *& some one who (new wha$ he was wri$in+ of# 4'$ he wo'l"
ne3er "o i$ *e/a'se ea/h "a& of no$ wri$in+ of /omfor$ of *ein+
$ha$ whi/h he "espise" "'lle" his a*ili$& an" sof$ene" his will $o wor( so $ha$ finall& he "i"
no wor( a$ all# The people he (new now were all m'/h
more /omfor$a*le when he "i" no$ wor(# Afri/a was where he ha" *een happies$ in $he +oo"
$ime of his life so he ha" /ome o'$ here $o s$ar$ a+ain# The&
ha" ma"e $his safari wi$h $he minim'm of /omfor$# There was no har"ship: *'$ $here was no
l'8'r& an" he ha" $ho'+h$ $ha$ he /o'l" +e$ *a/( in$o $rainin+
$ha$ wa&# Tha$ in some wa& he /o'l" wor( $he fa$ off his so'l $he wa& a fi+h$er wen$ in$o $he
mo'n$ains $o wor( an" $rain in or"er $o *'rn i$ o'$ of his
*o"&#
She ha" li(e" i$# She sai" she lo3e" i$# She lo3e" an&$hin+ $ha$ was e8/i$in+ $ha$ in3ol3e" a
/han+e of s/ene where $here were new people an" where $hin+s
were pleasan$# An" he ha" fel$ $he ill'sion of re$'rnin+ s$ren+$h of will $o wor(# Now if $his
was how i$ en"e" an" he (new i$ was he m's$ no$ $'rn li(e
some sna(e *i$in+ i$self *e/a'se i$s *a/( was *ro(en# I$ wasn%$ $his woman%s fa'l$# If i$ ha" no$
*een she i$ wo'l" ha3e *een ano$her# If he li3e" *& a
lie he sho'l" $r& $o "ie *& i$# He hear" a sho$ *e&on" $he hill#
She sho$ 3er& well $his +oo" $his ri/h *i$/h $his (in"l& /are$a(er an" "es$ro&er of his $alen$#
Nonsense# He ha" "es$ro&e" his $alen$ himself# 7h& sho'l"
he *lame $his woman *e/a'se she (ep$ him well) He ha" "es$ro&e" his $alen$ *& no$ 'sin+ i$
*& *e$ra&als of himself an" wha$ he *elie3e" in *& "rin(in+
so m'/h $ha$ he *l'n$e" $he e"+e of his per/ep$ions *& la1iness *& slo$h an" *& sno**er& *&
pri"e an" *& prej'"i/e *& hoo( an" *& /roo(# 7ha$ was
$his) A /a$alo+'e of ol" *oo(s) 7ha$ was his $alen$ an&wa&) I$ was a $alen$ all ri+h$ *'$
ins$ea" of 'sin+ i$ he ha" $ra"e" on i$# I$ was ne3er wha$ he
ha" "one *'$ alwa&s wha$ he /o'l" "o# An" he ha" /hosen $o ma(e his li3in+ wi$h some$hin+
else ins$ea" of a pen or a pen/il# I$ was s$ran+e $oo wasn%$
i$ $ha$ when he fell in lo3e wi$h ano$her woman $ha$ woman sho'l" alwa&s ha3e more mone&
$han $he las$ one) 4'$ when he no lon+er was in lo3e when he
was onl& l&in+ as $o $his woman now who ha" $he mos$ mone& of all who ha" all $he mone&
$here was who ha" ha" a h's*an" an" /hil"ren who ha" $a(en
lo3ers an" *een "issa$isfie" wi$h $hem an" who lo3e" him "earl& as a wri$er as a man as a
/ompanion an" as a pro'" possession: i$ was s$ran+e $ha$ when
he "i" no$ lo3e her a$ all an" was l&in+ $ha$ he sho'l" *e a*le $o +i3e her more for her mone&
$han when he ha" reall& lo3e"#
7e m's$ all *e /'$ o'$ for wha$ we "o he $ho'+h$# Howe3er &o' ma(e &o'r li3in+ is where
&o'r $alen$ lies# He ha" sol" 3i$ali$& in one form or ano$her
all his life an" when &o'r affe/$ions are no$ $oo in3ol3e" &o' +i3e m'/h *e$$er 3al'e for $he
mone&# He ha" fo'n" $ha$ o'$ *'$ he wo'l" ne3er wri$e $ha$
now ei$her# No he wo'l" no$ wri$e $ha$ al$ho'+h i$ was well wor$h wri$in+#
Now she /ame in si+h$ wal(in+ a/ross $he open $owar" $he /amp# She was wearin+ jo"ph'rs
an" /arr&in+ her rifle# The $wo *o&s ha" a Tommie sl'n+ an" $he&
were /omin+ alon+ *ehin" her# She was s$ill a +oo"2loo(in+ woman he $ho'+h$ an" she ha"
a pleasan$ *o"&# She ha" a +rea$ $alen$ an" appre/ia$ion for
$he *e" she was no$ pre$$& *'$ he li(e" her fa/e she rea" enormo'sl& li(e" $o ri"e an" shoo$
an" /er$ainl& she "ran( $oo m'/h# Her h's*an" ha" "ie"
when she was s$ill a /ompara$i3el& &o'n+ woman an" for a while she ha" "e3o$e" herself $o
her $wo j's$2+rown /hil"ren who "i" no$ nee" her an" were em*arrasse"
a$ ha3in+ her a*o'$ $o her s$a*le of horses $o *oo(s an" $o *o$$les# She li(e" $o rea" in $he
e3enin+ *efore "inner an" she "ran( S/o$/h an" so"a while
she rea"# 4& "inner she was fairl& "r'n( an" af$er a *o$$le of wine a$ "inner she was 's'all&
"r'n( eno'+h $o sleep#
Tha$ was *efore $he lo3ers# Af$er she ha" $he lo3ers she "i" no$ "rin( so m'/h *e/a'se she "i"
no$ ha3e $o *e "r'n( $o sleep# 4'$ $he lo3ers *ore" her#
She ha" *een marrie" $o a man who ha" ne3er *ore" her an" $hese people *ore" her 3er&
m'/h#
Then one of her $wo /hil"ren was (ille" in a plane /rash an" af$er $ha$ was o3er she "i" no$
wan$ $he lo3ers an" "rin( *ein+ no anaes$he$i/ she ha" $o
ma(e ano$her life# S'""enl& she ha" *een a/'$el& fri+h$ene" of *ein+ alone# 4'$ she wan$e"
some one $ha$ she respe/$e" wi$h her#
I$ ha" *e+'n 3er& simpl&# She li(e" wha$ he wro$e an" she ha" alwa&s en3ie" $he life he le"#
She $ho'+h$ he "i" e8a/$l& wha$ he wan$e" $o# The s$eps *&
whi/h she ha" a/0'ire" him an" $he wa& in whi/h she ha" finall& fallen in lo3e wi$h him were
all par$ of a re+'lar pro+ression in whi/h she ha" *'il$ herself
a new life an" he ha" $ra"e" awa& wha$ remaine" of his ol" life#
He ha" $ra"e" i$ for se/'ri$& for /omfor$ $oo $here was no "en&in+ $ha$ an" for wha$ else) He
"i" no$ (now# She wo'l" ha3e *o'+h$ him an&$hin+ he wan$e"#
He (new $ha$# She was a "amne" ni/e woman $oo# He wo'l" as soon *e in *e" wi$h her as an&
one: ra$her wi$h her *e/a'se she was ri/her *e/a'se she was
3er& pleasan$ an" appre/ia$i3e an" *e/a'se she ne3er ma"e s/enes# An" now $his life $ha$ she
ha" *'il$ a+ain was /omin+ $o a $erm *e/a'se he ha" no$ 'se"
io"ine $wo wee(s a+o when a $horn ha" s/ra$/he" his (nee as $he& mo3e" forwar" $r&in+ $o
pho$o+raph a her" of wa$er*'/( s$an"in+ $heir hea"s 'p peerin+
while $heir nos$rils sear/he" $he air $heir ears sprea" wi"e $o hear $he firs$ noise $ha$ wo'l"
sen" $hem r'shin+ in$o $he *'sh# The& ha" *ol$e" $oo
*efore he +o$ $he pi/$'re#
Here she /ame now# He $'rne" his hea" on $he /o$ $o loo( $owar" her# !Hello! he sai"#
!I sho$ a Tomm& ram! she $ol" him# !He%ll ma(e &o' +oo" *ro$h an" I%ll ha3e $hem mash
some po$a$oes wi$h $he Klim# How "o &o' feel)!
!M'/h *e$$er#!
!Isn%$ $ha$ lo3el&) 5o' (now I $ho'+h$ perhaps &o' wo'l"# 5o' were sleepin+ when I lef$#!
!I ha" a +oo" sleep# ,i" &o' wal( far)!
!No# <'s$ aro'n" *ehin" $he hill# I ma"e 0'i$e a +oo" sho$ on $he Tomm&#!
!5o' shoo$ mar3ello'sl& &o' (now#!
!I lo3e i$# I%3e lo3e" Afri/a# Reall&# If &o'%re all ri+h$ i$%s $he mos$ f'n $ha$ I%3e e3er ha"# 5o'
"on%$ (now $he f'n i$%s *een $o shoo$ wi$h &o'# I%3e
lo3e" $he /o'n$r&#!
!I lo3e i$ $oo#!
!,arlin+ &o' "on%$ (now how mar3ello's i$ is $o see &o' feelin+ *e$$er# I /o'l"n%$ s$an" i$
when &o' fel$ $ha$ wa&# 5o' won%$ $al( $o me li(e $ha$ a+ain
will &o') .romise me)!
!No! he sai"# !I "on%$ remem*er wha$ I sai"#!
!5o' "on%$ ha3e $o "es$ro& me# ,o &o') I%m onl& a mi""le2a+e" woman who lo3es &o' an"
wan$s $o "o wha$ &o' wan$ $o "o# I%3e *een "es$ro&e" $wo or $hree
$imes alrea"&# 5o' wo'l"n%$ wan$ $o "es$ro& me a+ain wo'l" &o')!
!I%" li(e $o "es$ro& &o' a few $imes in *e"! he sai"#
!5es# Tha$%s $he +oo" "es$r'/$ion# Tha$%s $he wa& we%re ma"e $o *e "es$ro&e"# The plane will
*e here $omorrow#!
!How "o &o' (now)!
!I%m s're# I$%s *o'n" $o /ome# The *o&s ha3e $he woo" all rea"& an" $he +rass $o ma(e $he
sm'"+e# I wen$ "own an" loo(e" a$ i$ a+ain $o"a&# There%s plen$&
of room $o lan" an" we ha3e $he sm'"+es rea"& a$ *o$h en"s#!
!7ha$ ma(es &o' $hin( i$ will /ome $omorrow)!
!I%m s're i$ will# I$%s o3er"'e now# Then in $own $he& will fi8 'p &o'r le+ an" $hen we will
ha3e some +oo" "es$r'/$ion# No$ $ha$ "rea"f'l $al(in+ (in"#!
!Sho'l" we ha3e a "rin() The s'n is "own#!
!,o &o' $hin( &o' sho'l")!
!I%m ha3in+ one#!
!7e%ll ha3e one $o+e$her# Molo le$$i "'i whis(e&2so"a-! she /alle"#
!5o'%" *e$$er p'$ on &o'r mos0'i$o *oo$s! he $ol" her#
!I%ll wai$ $ill I *a$he # # #!
7hile i$ +rew "ar( $he& "ran( an" j's$ *efore i$ was "ar( an" $here was no lon+er eno'+h
li+h$ $o shoo$ a h&ena /rosse" $he open on his wa& aro'n" $he
hill#
!Tha$ *as$ar" /rosses $here e3er& ni+h$! $he man sai"# !E3er& ni+h$ for $wo wee(s#!
!He%s $he one ma(es $he noise a$ ni+h$# I "on%$ min" i$# The&%re a fil$h& animal $ho'+h#!
,rin(in+ $o+e$her wi$h no pain now e8/ep$ $he "is/omfor$ of l&in+ in $he one posi$ion $he
*o&s li+h$in+ a fire i$s sha"ow j'mpin+ on $he $en$s he /o'l"
feel $he re$'rn of a/0'ies/en/e in $his life of pleasan$ s'rren"er# She was 3er& +oo" $o him# He
ha" *een /r'el an" 'nj's$ in $he af$ernoon# She was a
fine woman mar3ello's reall&# An" j's$ $hen i$ o//'rre" $o him $ha$ he was +oin+ $o "ie#
I$ /ame wi$h a r'sh: no$ as a r'sh of wa$er nor of win": *'$ of a s'""en e3il2smellin+
emp$iness an" $he o"" $hin+ was $ha$ $he h&ena slippe" li+h$l& alon+
$he e"+e of i$#
!7ha$ is i$ Harr&)! she as(e" him#
!No$hin+! he sai"# !5o' ha" *e$$er mo3e o3er $o $he o$her si"e# To win"war"#!
!,i" Molo /han+e $he "ressin+)!
!5es# I%m j's$ 'sin+ $he *ori/ now#!
!How "o &o' feel)!
!A li$$le wo**l&#!
!I%m +oin+ in $o *a$he! she sai"# !I%ll *e ri+h$ o'$# I%ll ea$ wi$h &o' an" $hen we%ll p'$ $he /o$
in#!
So he sai" $o himself we "i" well $o s$op $he 0'arrellin+# He ha" ne3er 0'arrelle" m'/h wi$h
$his woman while wi$h $he women $ha$ he lo3e" he ha" 0'arrelle"
so m'/h $he& ha" finall& alwa&s wi$h $he /orrosion of $he 0'arrellin+ (ille" wha$ $he& ha"
$o+e$her# He ha" lo3e" $oo m'/h "eman"e" $oo m'/h an" he
wore i$ all o'$#
He $ho'+h$ a*o'$ alone in 6ons$an$inople $ha$ $ime ha3in+ 0'arrelle" in .aris *efore he ha"
+one o'$# He ha" whore" $he whole $ime an" $hen when $ha$
was o3er an" he ha" faile" $o (ill his loneliness *'$ onl& ma"e i$ worse he ha" wri$$en her
$he firs$ one $he one who lef$ him a le$$er $ellin+ her
how he ha" ne3er *een a*le $o (ill i$ ### How when he $ho'+h$ he saw her o'$si"e $he Re+en/e
one $ime i$ ma"e him +o all fain$ an" si/( insi"e an" $ha$
he wo'l" follow a woman who loo(e" li(e her in some wa& alon+ $he 4o'le3ar" afrai" $o
see i$ was no$ she afrai" $o lose $he feelin+ i$ +a3e him# How
e3er& one he ha" slep$ wi$h ha" onl& ma"e him miss her more# How wha$ she ha" "one /o'l"
ne3er ma$$er sin/e he (new he /o'l" no$ /'re himself of lo3in+
her# He wro$e $his le$$er a$ $he 6l'* /ol" so*er an" maile" i$ $o New 5or( as(in+ her $o wri$e
him a$ $he of fi/e in .aris# Tha$ seeme" safe# An" $ha$
ni+h$ missin+ her so m'/h i$ ma"e him feel hollow si/( insi"e he wan"ere" 'p pas$ Ma8im%s
pi/(e" a +irl 'p an" $oo( her o'$ $o s'pper# He ha" +one $o
a pla/e $o "an/e wi$h her af$erwar" she "an/e" *a"l& an" lef$ her for a ho$ Armenian sl'$
$ha$ sw'n+ her *ell& a+ains$ him so i$ almos$ s/al"e"# He
$oo( her awa& from a 4ri$ish +'nner s'*al$ern af$er a row# The +'nner as(e" him o'$si"e an"
$he& fo'+h$ in $he s$ree$ on $he /o**les in $he "ar(# He%"
hi$ him $wi/e har" on $he si"e of $he jaw an" when he "i"n%$ +o "own he (new he was in for
a fi+h$# The +'nner hi$ him in $he *o"& $hen *esi"e his e&e#
He sw'n+ wi$h his lef$ a+ain an" lan"e" an" $he +'nner fell on him an" +ra**e" his /oa$ an"
$ore $he slee3e off an" he /l'**e" him $wi/e *ehin" $he ear
an" $hen smashe" him wi$h his ri+h$ as he p'she" him awa&# 7hen $he +'nner wen$ "own his
hea" hi$ firs$ an" he ran wi$h $he +irl *e/a'se $he& hear" $he
M#.# %s /omin+# The& +o$ in$o a $a8i an" "ro3e o'$ $o Rimmil& Hissa alon+ $he 4osphor's an"
aro'n" an" *a/( in $he /ool ni+h$ an" wen$ $o *e" an" she
fel$ as o3er2ripe as she loo(e" *'$ smoo$h rose2pe$al s&r'p& smoo$h2*ellie" *i+2*reas$e"
an" nee"e" no pillow 'n"er her *'$$o/(s an" he lef$ her *efore
she was awa(e loo(in+ *lo's& eno'+h in $he firs$ "a&li+h$ an" $'rne" 'p a$ $he .era .ala/e
wi$h a *la/( e&e /arr&in+ his /oa$ *e/a'se one slee3e was missin+#
Tha$ same ni+h$ he lef$ for Ana$olia an" he remem*ere" la$er on $ha$ $rip ri"in+ all "a&
$hro'+h fiel"s of $he poppies $ha$ $he& raise" for opi'm an"
how s$ran+e i$ ma"e &o' feel finall& an" all $he "is$an/es seeme" wron+ $o where $he& ha"
ma"e $he a$$a/( wi$h $he newl& arri3e" 6ons$an$ine offi/ers
$ha$ "i" no$ (now a +o"2"amne" $hin+ an" $he ar$iller& ha" fire" in$o $he $roops an" $he
4ri$ish o*ser3er ha" /rie" li(e a /hil"#
Tha$ was $he "a& he%" firs$ seen "ea" men wearin+ whi$e *alle$ s(ir$s an" 'p$'rne" shoes wi$h
pompons on $hem# The T'r(s ha" /ome s$ea"il& an" l'mpil& an"
he ha" seen $he s(ir$e" men r'nnin+ an" $he of fi/ers shoo$in+ in$o $hem an" r'nnin+ $hen
$hemsel3es an" he an" $he 4ri$ish o*ser3er ha" r'n $oo 'n$il
his l'n+s a/he" an" his mo'$h was f'll of $he $as$e of pennies an" $he& s$oppe" *ehin" some
ro/(s an" $here were $he T'r(s /omin+ as l'mpil& as e3er# La$er
he ha" seen $he $hin+s $ha$ he /o'l" ne3er $hin( of an" la$er s$ill he ha" seen m'/h worse# So
when he +o$ *a/( $o .aris $ha$ $ime he /o'l" no$ $al( a*o'$
i$ or s$an" $o ha3e i$ men$ione"# An" $here in $he /afe as he passe" was $ha$ Ameri/an poe$
wi$h a pile of sa'/ers in fron$ of him an" a s$'pi" loo( on
his po$a$o fa/e $al(in+ a*o'$ $he ,a"a mo3emen$ wi$h a Ro'manian who sai" his name was
Tris$an T1ara who alwa&s wore a mono/le an" ha" a hea"a/he an"
*a/( a$ $he apar$men$ wi$h his wife $ha$ now he lo3e" a+ain $he 0'arrel all o3er $he ma"ness
all o3er +la" $o *e home $he offi/e sen$ his mail 'p $o
$he fla$# So $hen $he le$$er in answer $o $he one he%" wri$$en /ame in on a pla$$er one mornin+
an" when he saw $he han" wri$in+ he wen$ /ol" all o3er
an" $rie" $o slip $he le$$er 'n"ernea$h ano$her# 4'$ his wife sai" %%7ho is $ha$ le$$er from
"ear)%% an" $ha$ was $he en" of $he *e+innin+ of $ha$#
He remem*ere" $he +oo" $imes wi$h $hem all an" $he 0'arrels# The& alwa&s pi/(e" $he fines$
pla/es $o ha3e $he 0'arrels# An" wh& ha" $he& alwa&s 0'arrelle"
when he was feelin+ *es$) He ha" ne3er wri$$en an& of $ha$ *e/a'se a$ firs$ he ne3er wan$e"
$o h'r$ an& one an" $hen i$ seeme" as $ho'+h $here was eno'+h
$o wri$e wi$ho'$ i$# 4'$ he ha" alwa&s $ho'+h$ $ha$ he wo'l" wri$e i$ finall&# There was so
m'/h $o wri$e# He ha" seen $he worl" /han+e: no$ j's$ $he e3en$s:
al$ho'+h he ha" seen man& of $hem an" ha" wa$/he" $he people *'$ he ha" seen $he s'*$ler
/han+e an" he /o'l" remem*er how $he people were a$ "ifferen$
$imes# He ha" *een in i$ an" he ha" wa$/he" i$ an" i$ was his "'$& $o wri$e of i$: *'$ now he
ne3er wo'l"#
!How "o &o' feel)! she sai"# She ha" /ome o'$ from $he $en$ now af$er her *a$h#
!All ri+h$#!
!6o'l" &o' ea$ now)! He saw Molo *ehin" her wi$h $he fol"in+ $a*le an" $he o$her *o& wi$h
$he "ishes#
!I wan$ $o wri$e! he sai"#
!5o' o'+h$ $o $a(e some *ro$h $o (eep &o'r s$ren+$h 'p#!
!I%m +oin+ $o "ie $oni+h$! he sai"# !I "on%$ nee" m& s$ren+$h 'p#!
!,on%$ *e melo"rama$i/ Harr& please! she sai"#
!7h& "on%$ &o' 'se &o'r nose) I%m ro$$e" half wa& 'p m& $hi+h now# 7ha$ $he hell sho'l" I
fool wi$h *ro$h for) Molo *rin+ whis(e&2so"a#!
!.lease $a(e $he *ro$h! she sai" +en$l&#
!All ri+h$#!
The *ro$h was $oo ho$# He ha" $o hol" i$ in $he /'p 'n$il i$ /oole" eno'+h $o $a(e i$ an" $hen he
j's$ +o$ i$ "own wi$ho'$ +a++in+#
!5o'%re a fine woman! he sai"# !,on%$ pa& an& a$$en$ion $o me#!
She loo(e" a$ him wi$h her well2(nown well2lo3e" fa/e from Sp'r an" Town > 6o'n$r&
onl& a li$$le $he worse for "rin( onl& a li$$le $he worse for *e"
*'$ Town > 6o'n$r& ne3er showe" $hose +oo" *reas$s an" $hose 'sef'l $hi+hs an" $hose
li+h$l& small2of2*a/(2/aressin+ han"s an" as he loo(e" an" saw her
well2(nown pleasan$ smile he fel$ "ea$h /ome a+ain#
in#
This $ime $here was no r'sh# I$ was a p'ff as of a win" $ha$ ma(es a /an"le fli/(er an" $he
flame +o $all#
!The& /an *rin+ m& ne$ o'$ la$er an" han+ i$ from $he $ree an" *'il" $he fire 'p# I%m no$ +oin+
in $he $en$ $oni+h$# I$%s no$ wor$h mo3in+# I$%s a /lear
ni+h$# There won%$ *e an& rain#!
So $his was how &o' "ie" in whispers $ha$ &o' "i" no$ hear# 7ell $here wo'l" *e no more
0'arrellin+# He /o'l" promise $ha$# The one e8perien/e $ha$ he
ha" ne3er ha" he was no$ +oin+ $o spoil now# He pro*a*l& wo'l"# 5o' spoile" e3er&$hin+# 4'$
perhaps he wo'l"n%$#
!5o' /an%$ $a(e "i/$a$ion /an &o')!
!I ne3er learne"! she $ol" him#
!Tha$%s all ri+h$#!
There wasn%$ $ime of /o'rse al$ho'+h i$ seeme" as $ho'+h i$ $eles/ope" so $ha$ &o' mi+h$ p'$
i$ all in$o one para+raph if &o' /o'l" +e$ i$ ri+h$#
There was a lo+ ho'se /hin(e" whi$e wi$h mor$ar on a hill a*o3e $he la(e# There was a *ell
on a pole *& $he "oor $o /all $he people in $o meals# 4ehin"
$he ho'se were fiel"s an" *ehin" $he fiel"s was $he $im*er# A line of lom*ar"& poplars ran
from $he ho'se $o $he "o/(# O$her poplars ran alon+ $he poin$#
A roa" wen$ 'p $o $he hills alon+ $he e"+e of $he $im*er an" alon+ $ha$ roa" he pi/(e"
*la/(*erries# Then $ha$ lo+ ho'se was *'rne" "own an" all $he +'ns
$ha$ ha" *een on "eer foo$ ra/(s a*o3e $he open fire pla/e were *'rne" an" af$erwar"s $heir
*arrels wi$h $he lea" mel$e" in $he ma+a1ines an" $he s$o/(s
*'rne" awa& la& o'$ on $he heap of ashes $ha$ were 'se" $o ma(e l&e for $he *i+ iron soap
(e$$les an" &o' as(e" Gran"fa$her if &o' /o'l" ha3e $hem $o
pla& wi$h an" he sai" no# 5o' see $he& were his +'ns s$ill an" he ne3er *o'+h$ an& o$hers#
Nor "i" he h'n$ an& more# The ho'se was re*'il$ in $he same
pla/e o'$ of l'm*er now an" pain$e" whi$e an" from i$s por/h &o' saw $he poplars an" $he
la(e *e&on": *'$ $here were ne3er an& more +'ns# The *arrels of
$he +'ns $ha$ ha" h'n+ on $he "eer fee$ on $he wall of $he lo+ ho'se la& o'$ $here on $he heap
of ashes an" no one e3er $o'/he" $hem#
In $he 4la/( 9ores$ af$er $he war we ren$e" a $ro'$ s$ream an" $here were $wo wa&s $o wal( $o
i$# One was "own $he 3alle& from Tri*er+ an" aro'n" $he
3alle& roa" in $he sha"e of $he $rees $ha$ *or"ere" $he whi$e roa" an" $hen 'p a si"e roa" $ha$
wen$ 'p $hro'+h $he hills pas$ man& small farms wi$h
$he *i+
S/hwar1wal" ho'ses 'n$il $ha$ roa" /rosse" $he s$ream# Tha$ was where o'r fishin+ *e+an#
The o$her wa& was $o /lim* s$eepl& 'p $o $he e"+e of $he woo"s an" $hen +o a/ross $he $op of
$he hills $hro'+h $he pine woo"s an" $hen o'$ $o $he e"+e
of a mea"ow an" "own a/ross $his mea"ow $o $he *ri"+e# There were *ir/hes alon+ $he s$ream
an" i$ was no$ *i+ *'$ narrow /lear an" fas$ wi$h pools where
i$ ha" /'$ 'n"er $he roo$s of $he *ir/hes# A$ $he Ho$el in Tri*er+ $he proprie$or ha" a fine
season# I$ was 3er& pleasan$ an" we were all +rea$ frien"s#
The ne8$ &ear /ame $he infla$ion an" $he mone& he ha" ma"e $he &ear *efore was no$ eno'+h
$o *'& s'pplies $o open $he ho$el an" he han+e" himself# 5o'
/o'l" "i/$a$e $ha$ *'$ &o' /o'l" no$ "i/$a$e $he .la/e 6on$res/arpe where $he flower sellers
"&e" $heir flowers in $he s$ree$ an" $he "&e ran o3er $he
pa3in+ where $he a'$o*'s s$ar$e" an" $he ol" men an" $he women alwa&s "r'n( on wine an"
*a" mare: an" $he /hil"ren wi$h $heir noses r'nnin+ in $he /ol":
$he smell of "ir$& swea$ an" po3er$& an" "r'n(enness a$ $he 6afe% "es Ama$e'rs an" $he
whores a$ $he 4al M'se$$e $he& li3e" a*o3e# The /on/ier+e who en$er$aine"
$he $rooper of $he Gar"e Rep'*li/aine in her lo+e his horse2hair2pl'me" helme$ on a /hair#
The lo/a$aire a/ross $he hall whose h's*an" was a *i/&/le ra/er
an" her jo& $ha$ mornin+ a$ $he
/remerie when she ha" opene" L%A'$o an" seen where he pla/e" $hir" in .aris2To'rs his firs$
*i+ ra/e# She ha" *l'she" an" la'+he" an" $hen +one 'ps$airs
/r&in+ wi$h $he &ellow spor$in+ paper in her han"# The h's*an" of $he woman who ran $he 4al
M'se$$e "ro3e a $a8i an" when he Harr& ha" $o $a(e an earl&
plane $he h's*an" (no/(e" 'pon $he "oor $o wa(e him an" $he& ea/h "ran( a +lass of whi$e
wine a$ $he 1in/ of $he *ar *efore $he& s$ar$e"# He (new his nei+h*ors
in $ha$ 0'ar$er $hen *e/a'se $he& all were poor#
Aro'n" $ha$ .la/e $here were $wo (in"s: $he "r'n(ar"s an" $he
spor$ifs# The "r'n(ar"s (ille" $heir po3er$& $ha$ wa&: $he spor$ifs $oo( i$ o'$ in e8er/ise# The&
were $he "es/en"an$s of $he 6omm'nar"s an" i$ was no s$r'++le
for $hem $o (now $heir poli$i/s# The& (new who ha" sho$ $heir fa$hers $heir rela$i3es $heir
*ro$hers an" $heir frien"s when $he Versailles $roops /ame
in an" $oo( $he $own af$er $he 6omm'ne an" e8e/'$e" an& one $he& /o'l" /a$/h wi$h
/allo'se" han"s or who wore a /ap or /arrie" an& o$her si+n he was
a wor(in+ man# An" in $ha$ po3er$& an" in $ha$ 0'ar$er a/ross $he s$ree$ from a 4o'/herie
6he3aline an" a wine /oopera$i3e he ha" wri$$en $he s$ar$ of
all he was $o "o# There ne3er was ano$her par$ of .aris $ha$ he lo3e" li(e $ha$ $he sprawlin+
$rees $he ol" whi$e plas$ere" ho'ses pain$e" *rown *elow
$he lon+ +reen of $he a'$o*'s in $ha$ ro'n" s0'are $he p'rple flower "&e 'pon $he pa3in+ $he
s'""en "rop "own $he hill of $he r'e 6ar"inal Lemoine $o
$he Ri3er an" $he o$her wa& $he narrow /row"e" worl" of $he r'e Mo'ffe$ar"# The s$ree$ $ha$
ran 'p $owar" $he .an$heon an" $he o$her $ha$ he alwa&s $oo(
wi$h $he *i/&/le $he onl& asphal$e" s$ree$ in all $ha$ 0'ar$er smoo$h 'n"er $he $ires wi$h $he
hi+h narrow ho'ses an" $he /heap $all ho$el where .a'l
Verlaine ha" "ie"# There were onl& $wo rooms in $he apar$men$s where $he& li3e" an" he ha"
a room on $he $op floor of $ha$ ho$el $ha$ /os$ him si8$& fran/s
a mon$h where he "i" his wri$in+ an" from i$ he /o'l" see $he roofs an" /himne& po$s an" all
$he hills of .aris#
9rom $he apar$men$ &o' /o'l" onl& see $he woo" an" /oal man%s pla/e# He sol" wine $oo *a"
wine# The +ol"en horse%s hea" o'$si"e $he 4o'/herie 6he3aline
where $he /ar/asses h'n+ &ellow +ol" an" re" in $he open win"ow an" $he +reen pain$e" /o2
opera$i3e where $he& *o'+h$ $heir wine: +oo" wine an" /heap#
The res$ was plas$er walls an" $he win"ows of $he nei+h*ors# The nei+h*ors who a$ ni+h$
when some one la& "r'n( in $he s$ree$ moanin+ an" +roanin+ in
$ha$ $&pi/al 9ren/h i3resse $ha$ &o' were propa+an"e" $o *elie3e "i" no$ e8is$ wo'l" open
$heir win"ows an" $hen $he m'rm'r of $al(#
%%7here is $he poli/eman) 7hen &o' "on%$ wan$ him $he *'++er is alwa&s $here# He%s sleepin+
wi$h some /on/ier+e# Ge$ $he A+en$# ! Till some one $hrew a
*'/(e$ of wa$er from a win"ow an" $he moanin+ s$oppe"# %%7ha$%s $ha$) 7a$er# Ah $ha$%s
in$elli+en$#! An" $he win"ows sh'$$in+# Marie his
femme "e mena+e pro$es$in+ a+ains$ $he ei+h$2ho'r "a& sa&in+ %%If a h's*an" wor(s 'n$il si8
he +e$s onl& a riffle "r'n( on $he wa& home an" "oes no$ was$e
$oo m'/h# If he wor(s onl& 'n$il fi3e he is "r'n( e3er& ni+h$ an" one has no mone&# I$ is $he
wife of $he wor(in+ man who s'ffers from $his shor$enin+
of ho'rs# %
!7o'l"n%$ &o' li(e some more *ro$h)! $he woman as(e" him now#
!No $han( &o' 3er& m'/h# I$ is awf'll& +oo"#!
!Tr& j's$ a li$$le#!
!I wo'l" li(e a whis(e&2so"a#!
!I$%s no$ +oo" for &o'#!
!No# I$%s *a" for me# 6ole .or$er wro$e $he wor"s an" $he m'si/# This (nowle"+e $ha$ &o'%re
+oin+ ma" for me#!
!5o' (now I li(e &o' $o "rin(#!
!Oh &es# Onl& i$%s *a" for me#!
7hen she +oes he $ho'+h$ I%ll ha3e all I wan$# No$ all I wan$ *'$ all $here is# A&ee he was
$ire"# Too $ire"# He was +oin+ $o sleep a li$$le while# He
la& s$ill an" "ea$h was no$ $here# I$ m's$ ha3e +one aro'n" ano$her s$ree$# I$ wen$ in pairs on
*i/&/les an" mo3e" a*sol'$el& silen$l& on $he pa3emen$s#
No he ha" ne3er wri$$en a*o'$ .aris# No$ $he .aris $ha$ he /are" a*o'$# 4'$ wha$ a*o'$ $he
res$ $ha$ he ha" ne3er wri$$en)
7ha$ a*o'$ $he ran/h an" $he sil3ere" +ra& of $he sa+e *r'sh $he 0'i/( /lear wa$er in $he
irri+a$ion "i$/hes an" $he hea3& +reen of $he alfalfa# The
$rail wen$ 'p in$o $he hills an" $he /a$$le in $he s'mmer were sh& as "eer# The *awlin+ an" $he
s$ea"& noise an" slow mo3in+ mass raisin+ a "'s$ as &o'
*ro'+h$ $hem "own in $he fall# An" *ehin" $he mo'n$ains $he /lear sharpness of $he pea( in
$he e3enin+ li+h$ an" ri"in+ "own alon+ $he $rail in $he moonli+h$
*ri+h$ a/ross $he 3alle&# Now he remem*ere" /omin+ "own $hro'+h $he $im*er in $he "ar(
hol"in+ $he horse%s $ail when &o' /o'l" no$ see an" all $he s$ories
$ha$ he mean$ $o wri$e#
A*o'$ $he half2wi$ /hore *o& who was lef$ a$ $he ran/h $ha$ $ime an" $ol" no$ $o le$ an& one
+e$ an& ha& an" $ha$ ol" *as$ar" from $he 9or(s who ha" *ea$en
$he *o& when he ha" wor(e" for him s$oppin+ $o +e$ some fee"# The *o& ref'sin+ an" $he ol"
man sa&in+ he wo'l" *ea$ him a+ain# The *o& +o$ $he rifle from
$he (i$/hen an" sho$ him when he $rie" $o /ome in$o $he *arn an" when $he& /ame *a/( $o $he
ran/h he%" *een "ea" a wee( fro1en in $he /orral an" $he
"o+s ha" ea$en par$ of him# 4'$ wha$ was lef$ &o' pa/(e" on a sle" wrappe" in a *lan(e$ an"
rope" on an" &o' +o$ $he *o& $o help &o' ha'l i$ an" $he $wo
of &o' $oo( i$ o'$ o3er $he roa" on s(is an" si8$& miles "own $o $own $o $'rn $he *o& o3er# He
ha3in+ no i"ea $ha$ he wo'l" *e arres$e"# Thin(in+ he ha"
"one his "'$& an" $ha$ &o' were his frien" an" he wo'l" *e rewar"e"# He%" helpe" $o ha'l $he
ol" man in so e3er&*o"& /o'l" (now how *a" $he ol" man ha"
*een an" how he%" $rie" $o s$eal some fee" $ha$ "i"n%$ *elon+ $o him an" when $he sheriff p'$
$he han"/'ffs on $he *o& he /o'l"n%$ *elie3e i$# Then he%"
s$ar$e" $o /r&# Tha$ was one s$or& he ha" sa3e" $o wri$e# He (new a$ leas$ $wen$& +oo" s$ories
from o'$ $here an" he ha" ne3er wri$$en one# 7h&)
!5o' $ell $hem wh&! he sai"#
!7h& wha$ "ear)!
!7h& no$hin+#!
She "i"n%$ "rin( so m'/h now sin/e she ha" him# 4'$ if he li3e" he wo'l" ne3er wri$e a*o'$
her he (new $ha$ now# Nor a*o'$ an& of $hem# The ri/h were
"'ll an" $he& "ran( $oo m'/h or $he& pla&e" $oo m'/h *a/(+ammon# The& were "'ll an"
$he& were repe$i$io's# He remem*ere" poor <'lian an" his roman$i/
awe of $hem an" how he ha" s$ar$e" a s$or& on/e $ha$ *e+an !The 3er& ri/h are "ifferen$ from
&o' an" me#! An" how some one ha" sai" $o <'lian 5es $he&
ha3e more mone&# 4'$ $ha$ was no$ h'moro's $o <'lian# He $ho'+h$ $he& were a spe/ial
+lamo'ro's ra/e an" when he fo'n" $he& weren%$ i$ wre/(e" him j's$
as m'/h as an& o$her $hin+ $ha$ wre/(e" him#
He ha" *een /on$emp$'o's of $hose who wre/(e"# 5o' "i" no$ ha3e $o li(e i$ *e/a'se &o'
'n"ers$oo" i$# He /o'l" *ea$ an&$hin+ he $ho'+h$ *e/a'se no $hin+
/o'l" h'r$ him if he "i" no$ /are#
All ri+h$# Now he wo'l" no$ /are for "ea$h# One $hin+ he ha" alwa&s "rea"e" was $he pain# He
/o'l" s$an" pain as well as an& man 'n$il i$ wen$ on $oo lon+
an" wore him o'$ *'$ here he ha" some$hin+ $ha$ ha" h'r$ fri+h$f'll& an" j's$ when he ha"
fel$ i$ *rea(in+ him $he pain ha" s$oppe"#
He remem*ere" lon+ a+o when 7illiamson $he *om*in+ offi/er ha" *een hi$ *& a s$i/( *om*
some one in a German pa$rol ha" $hrown as he was /omin+ in $hro'+h
$he wire $ha$ ni+h$ an" s/reamin+ ha" *e++e" e3er& one $o (ill him# He was a fa$ man 3er&
*ra3e an" a +oo" offi/er al$ho'+h a""i/$e" $o fan$as$i/
shows# 4'$ $ha$ ni+h$ he was /a'+h$ in $he wire wi$h a flare li+h$in+ him 'p an" his *owels
spille" o'$ in$o $he wire so when $he& *ro'+h$ him in ali3e
$he& ha" $o /'$ him loose# Shoo$ me Harr&# 9or 6hris$ sa(e shoo$ me# The& ha" ha" an
ar+'men$ one $ime a*o'$ o'r Lor" ne3er sen"in+ &o' an&$hin+ &o' /o'l"
no$ *ear an" some one%s $heor& ha" *een $ha$ mean$ $ha$ a$ a /er$ain $ime $he pain passe" &o'
o'$ a'$oma$i/all&# 4'$ he ha" alwa&s remem*ere" 7illiamson
$ha$ ni+h$# No$hin+ passe" o'$ 7illiamson 'n$il he +a3e him all his morphine $a*le$s $ha$ he
ha" alwa&s sa3e" $o 'se himself an" $hen $he& "i" no$ wor(
ri+h$ awa&#
S$ill $his now $ha$ he ha" was 3er& eas&: an" if i$ was no worse as i$ wen$ on $here was
no$hin+ $o worr& a*o'$# E8/ep$ $ha$ he wo'l" ra$her *e in *e$$er
/ompan&#
He $ho'+h$ a li$$le a*o'$ $he /ompan& $ha$ he wo'l" li(e $o ha3e#
No he $ho'+h$ when e3er&$hin+ &o' "o &o' "o $oo lon+ an" "o $oo la$e &o' /an%$ e8pe/$ $o
fin" $he people s$ill $here# The people all are +one# The
par$&%s o3er an" &o' are wi$h &o'r hos$ess now#
I%m +e$$in+ as *ore" wi$h "&in+ as wi$h e3er&$hin+ else he $ho'+h$#
!I$%s a *ore! he sai" o'$ lo'"#
!7ha$ is m& "ear)!
!An&$hin+ &o' "o $oo *loo"& lon+#!
He loo(e" a$ her fa/e *e$ween him an" $he fire# She was leanin+ *a/( in $he /hair an" $he
fireli+h$ shone on her pleasan$l& line" fa/e an" he /o'l" see
$ha$ she was sleep&# He hear" $he h&ena ma(e a noise j's$ o'$si"e $he ran+e of $he fire#
!I%3e *een wri$in+! he sai"# !4'$ I +o$ $ire"#!
!,o &o' $hin( &o' will *e a*le $o sleep)!
!.re$$& s're# 7h& "on%$ &o' $'rn in)!
!I li(e $o si$ here wi$h &o'#!
!,o &o' feel an&$hin+ s$ran+e)! he as(e" her#
!No# <'s$ a li$$le sleep&#!
!I "o! he sai"#
He ha" j's$ fel$ "ea$h /ome *& a+ain#
!5o' (now $he onl& $hin+ I%3e ne3er los$ is /'riosi$&! he sai" $o her#
!5o'%3e ne3er los$ an&$hin+# 5o'%re $he mos$ /omple$e man I%3e e3er (nown#!
!6hris$! he sai"# !How li$$le a woman (nows# 7ha$ is $ha$) 5o'r in$'i$ion)!
4e/a'se j's$ $hen "ea$h ha" /ome an" res$e" i$s hea" on $he foo$ of $he /o$ an" he /o'l"
smell i$s *rea$h#
!Ne3er *elie3e an& of $ha$ a*o'$ a s/&$he an" a s('ll! he $ol" her# !I$ /an *e $wo *i/&/le
poli/emen as easil& or *e a *ir"# Or i$ /an ha3e a wi"e sno'$
li(e a h&ena#!
I$ ha" mo3e" 'p on him now *'$ i$ ha" no shape an& more# I$ simpl& o//'pie" spa/e#
!Tell i$ $o +o awa&#!
I$ "i" no$ +o awa& *'$ mo3e" a li$$le /loser#
!5o'%3e +o$ a hell of a *rea$h! he $ol" i$# !5o' s$in(in+ *as$ar"#!
I$ mo3e" 'p /loser $o him s$ill an" now he /o'l" no$ spea( $o i$ an" when i$ saw he /o'l" no$
spea( i$ /ame a li$$le /loser an" now he $rie" $o sen" i$
awa& wi$ho'$ spea(in+ *'$ i$ mo3e" in on him so i$s wei+h$ was all 'pon his /hes$ an" while
i$ /ro'/he" $here an" he /o'l" no$ mo3e or spea( he hear"
$he woman sa& !4wana is asleep now# Ta(e $he /o$ 'p 3er& +en$l& an" /arr& i$ in$o $he $en$#!
He /o'l" no$ spea( $o $ell her $o ma(e i$ +o awa& an" i$ /ro'/he" now hea3ier so he /o'l"
no$ *rea$he# An" $hen while $he& lif$e" $he /o$ s'""enl& i$
was all ri+h$ an" $he wei+h$ wen$ from his /hes$#
I$ was mornin+ an" ha" *een mornin+ for some $ime an" he hear" $he plane# I$ showe" 3er&
$in& an" $hen ma"e a wi"e /ir/le an" $he *o&s ran o'$ an" li$ $he
fires 'sin+ (erosene an" pile" on +rass so $here were $wo *i+ sm'"+es a$ ea/h en" of $he
le3el pla/e an" $he mornin+ *ree1e *lew $hem $owar" $he /amp
an" $he plane /ir/le" $wi/e more low $his $ime an" $hen +li"e" "own an" le3elle" off an"
lan"e" smoo$hl& an" /omin+ wal(in+ $owar" him was ol" 6omp$on
in sla/(s a $wee" ja/(e$ an" a *rown fel$ ha$#
!7ha$%s $he ma$$er ol" /o/()! 6omp$on sai"#
!4a" le+! he $ol" him# !7ill &o' ha3e some *rea(fas$)!
!Than(s# I%ll j's$ ha3e some $ea# I$%s $he .'ss Mo$h &o' (now# I won%$ *e a*le $o $a(e $he
Memsahi*# There%s onl& room for one# 5o'r lorr& is on $he wa&#!
Helen ha" $a(en 6omp$on asi"e an" was spea(in+ $o him# 6omp$on /ame *a/( more /heer&
$han e3er#
!7e%ll +e$ &o' ri+h$ in! he sai"# !I%ll *e *a/( for $he Mem# Now I%m afrai" I%ll ha3e $o s$op a$
Ar'sha $o ref'el# 7e%" *e$$er +e$ +oin+#!
!7ha$ a*o'$ $he $ea)!
!I "on%$ reall& /are a*o'$ i$ &o' (now#!
The *o&s ha" pi/(e" 'p $he /o$ an" /arrie" i$ aro'n" $he +reen $en$s an" "own alon+ $he ro/(
an" o'$ on$o $he plain an" alon+ pas$ $he sm'"+es $ha$ were
*'rnin+ *ri+h$l& now $he +rass all /ons'me" an" $he win" fannin+ $he fire $o $he li$$le plane#
I$ was "iffi/'l$ +e$$in+ him in *'$ on/e in he la& *a/(
in $he lea$her sea$ an" $he le+ was s$'/( s$rai+h$ o'$ $o one si"e of $he sea$ where 6omp$on
sa$# 6omp$on s$ar$e" $he mo$or an" +o$ in# He wa3e" $o Helen
an" $o $he *o&s an" as $he /la$$er mo3e" in$o $he ol" familiar roar $he& sw'n+ aro'n" wi$h
6ompie wa$/hin+ for war$ho+ holes an" roare" *'mpin+ alon+
$he s$re$/h *e$ween $he fires an" wi$h $he las$ *'mp rose an" he saw $hem all s$an"in+ *elow
wa3in+ an" $he /amp *esi"e $he hill fla$$enin+ now an"
$he plain sprea"in+ /l'mps of $rees an" $he *'sh fla$$enin+ while $he +ame $rails ran now
smoo$hl& $o $he "r& wa$erholes an" $here was a new wa$er
$ha$ he ha" ne3er (nown of# The 1e*ra small ro'n"e" *a/(s now an" $he wil"e*ees$e *i+2
hea"e" "o$s seemin+ $o /lim* as $he& mo3e" in lon+ fin+ers a/ross
$he plain now s/a$$erin+ as $he sha"ow /ame $owar" $hem $he& were $in& now an" $he
mo3emen$ ha" no +allop an" $he plain as far as &o' /o'l" see +ra&2&ellow
now an" ahea" ol" 6ompie%s $wee" *a/( an" $he *rown fel$ ha$# Then $he& were o3er $he firs$
hills an" $he wil"e*ees$e were $railin+ 'p $hem an" $hen $he&
were o3er mo'n$ains wi$h s'""en "ep$hs of +reen2risin+ fores$ an" $he soli" *am*oo slopes
an" $hen $he hea3& fores$ a+ain s/'lp$'re" in$o pea(s an" hollows
'n$il $he& /rosse" an" hills slope" "own an" $hen ano$her plain ho$ now an" p'rple *rown
*'mp& wi$h hea$ an" 6ompie loo(in+ *a/( $o see how he was
ri"in+# Then $here were o$her mo'n$ains "ar( ahea"#
An" $hen ins$ea" of +oin+ on $o Ar'sha $he& $'rne" lef$ he e3i"en$l& fi+'re" $ha$ $he& ha" $he
+as an" loo(in+ "own he saw a pin( sif$in+ /lo'" mo3in+
o3er $he +ro'n" an" in $he air li(e $he firs$ snow in a$ ii *li11ar" $ha$ /omes from nowhere
an" he (new $he lo/'s$s were /omin+ 'p from $he So'$h#
Then $he& *e+an $o /lim* an" $he& were +oin+ $o $he Eas$ i$ seeme" an" $hen i$ "ar(ene" an"
$he& were in a s$orm $he rain so $hi/( i$ seeme" li(e fl&in+
$hro'+h a wa$erfall an" $hen $he& were o'$ an" 6ompie $'rne" his hea" an" +rinne" an"
poin$e" an" $here ahea" all he /o'l" see as wi"e as all $he worl"
+rea$ hi+h an" 'n*elie3a*l& whi$e in $he s'n was $he s0'are $op of Kilimanjaro# An" $hen he
(new $ha$ $here was where he was +oin+#
<'s$ $hen $he h&ena s$oppe" whimperin+ in $he ni+h$ an" s$ar$e" $o ma(e a s$ran+e h'man
almos$ /r&in+ so'n"# The woman hear" i$ an" s$irre" 'neasil&#
She "i" no$ wa(e# In her "ream she was a$ $he ho'se on Lon+ Islan" an" i$ was $he ni+h$
*efore her "a'+h$er%s "e*'$# Somehow her fa$her was $here an" he
ha" *een 3er& r'"e# Then $he noise $he h&ena ma"e was so lo'" she wo(e an" for a momen$
she "i" no$ (now where she was an" she was 3er& afrai"# Then she
$oo( $he flashli+h$ an" shone i$ on $he o$her /o$ $ha$ $he& ha" /arrie" in af$er Harr& ha" +one
$o sleep# She /o'l" see his *'l( 'n"er $he mos0'i$o *ar
*'$ somehow he ha" +o$$en his le+ o'$ an" i$ h'n+ "own alon+si"e $he /o$# The "ressin+s ha"
all /ome "own an" she /o'l" no$ loo( a$ i$#
!Molo! she /alle" !Molo- Molo-!
Then she sai" !Harr& Harr&-! Then her 3oi/e risin+ !Harr&- .lease# Oh Harr&-!
There was no answer an" she /o'l" no$ hear him *rea$hin+#
O'$si"e $he $en$ $he h&ena ma"e $he same s$ran+e noise $ha$ ha" awa(ene" her# 4'$ she "i"
no$ hear him for $he *ea$in+ of her hear$#