570
PARTISAN REVIEW
points of the town, in muffled bursts, and the intervals between them
were growing shorter. In case of an alert, the rounds of the patrols
would be more frequent, and they were all the more to be feared
since the policemen, in the bustle and confusion occasioned by the
defense activities, might not be spotted at sight.
"If
you were not so badly dressed," grumbled Martin, "we could
go into a shelter. It's customary to bring valises into the shelters. But
shabby as you are, you would be taken for a thief."
"It's true, I do look a bit like a vagabond. But if the sirens sound
when we get to the boulevard, we can take refuge at my place. I
live near there."
They were turning into Trudaine Avenue, when the alert
sounded....
The studio was spacious and comfortable. Grandgil drew a blue
serge curtain over the window pane, and after having gotten into a
dressing gown, he investigated the interi9r of the stove, which was
still warm. Only live embers remained. Martin had set down his
valises. Standing near the door, he was looking around the studio with
a curious and hostile glance which nothing escaped. Wardrobe, cab–
inet, easels, couch, armchairs, tables, each one of these pieces of
furniture seemed to be for him the object of a careful study. Grandgil,
in a cordial tone, invited him to sit down. Martin did not stir. With
a motion of his head he indicated a table near the window, on which
were spread out a number of pastel drawings which bore Grandgil's
signature. They represented half-naked women, with breast exposed,
or with combination pulled up to the hips. One of them, altogether
naked, was wearing high-heeled shoes and an opera hat on her red
hair.
"It's you that did all those?"
"Yes, they're mine. I sell them in the Tertre Place shops and
elsewhere. There'll always be customers for that sort of thing. Since
the occupation, I do some bartering in the quarter too. Day before
yesterday, for a woman in her birthday suit I got a ham. I don't
do as many of these drawings now as I used to. With a little luck,
I may be able to drop it altogether."
Martin contemplated the sketches for a moment more, and then
took some steps toward the middle of the studio.
"And that?"
