346
SAMUEL BE C KETT
those for whom life had exhausted its surprises, as well on the minus
side as on the plus. Things too were getting ponderously under way.
It
was in vain the rain poured down, the whole business was starting
again with apparently no less ardour than if the sky had been a cloud–
less blue.
You kept me waiting, said Mercier.
On the contrary, said Camier.
I arrived at nine five, said Mercier.
And I at nine fifteen, said Camier.
You see, said Mercier.
Waiting, said Camier, and keeping waiting can only be with ref–
erence to a pre-arranged terminus.
And for what hour was our appointment, according to you? said
Mercier.
Nine fifteen, said Camier.
Then you are grievously mistaken said Mercier.
Meaning? said Camier.
Will you never have done astounding me? said Mercier.
Explain yourself, said Camier.
I close my eyes and live it over again, said Mercier, your hand in
mine, tears rising to my eyes and the sound of my faltering voice, So be
it, tomorrow at nine. A drunken woman passed by, singing a ribald
song and hitching up her skirts.
She went to your head, said Camier. He took a notebook from his
pocket, turned the leaves and read: Monday 15, St. Macarius, 9.15, St.
Ruth, collect umbrella at Helen's.
And what does that prove? said Mercier.
My good faith, said Camier.
True, said Mercier.
We shall never know, said Camier, at what hour we ar-ranged to
meet today, so let us drop the subject.
In all this confusion one thing alone is sure, said Mercier, and that
is that we met at ten to ten, at the same time as the hands, or rather a
moment later.
There is that to be thankful for, said Camier.
The rain had not yet begun, said Mercier.
The morning fervour was intact, said Camier.
Don't lose our agenda, said Mercier.
At this moment suddenly appeared from nowhere the first of a
