第34部分(第1/9 頁)
〃You are sure you don't want more?〃
〃Yes。〃 He stood up。
〃I hope you will be very fortunate and very happy and very; very healthy。〃
〃Thank you。 And I hope you will live forever。〃
〃Thank you。 I have。 And if you ever bee devout pray for me if I am dead。 I am asking several of my friends to do that。 I had expected to bee devout myself but it has not e。〃 I thought he smiled sadly but I could not tell。 He was so old and his face was very wrinkled; so that a smile used so many lines that all gradations were lost。
〃I might bee very devout;〃 I said。 〃Anyway; I will pray for you。〃
〃I had always expected to bee devout。 All my family died very devout。 But somehow it does not e。〃
〃It's too early。〃
〃Maybe it is too late。 Perhaps I have outlived my religious feeling。〃
〃My own es only at night。〃
〃Then too you are in love。 Do not forget that is a religious feeling。〃
〃You believe so?〃
〃Of course。〃 He took a step toward the table。 〃You were very kind to play。〃
〃It was a great pleasure。〃
〃We will walk up stairs together。〃
36
That night there was a storm and I woke to hear the rain lashing the window…panes。 It was ing in the open window。 Some one had knocked on the door。 I went to the door very softly; not to disturb Catherine; and opened it。 The barman stood there。 He wore his overcoat and carried his wet hat。
〃Can I speak to you; Tenente?〃
〃What's the matter?〃