350
My hunger is gone, said Camier.
One must eat, said Mercier.
I see no point, said Camier.
SAMUE L BECKETT
We have a long hard road before us still, said Mercier.
The sooner we drop the better, said Camier.
True, said Mercier.
The ranger's head appeared in the doorway. Believe it or not, only
his head was
to
be
seen. It was to say, in his quaint way, they were free
to spend the night for half-a-crown.
Is thought now taken, said Camier, and all in order?
No, said Mercier.
Will all ever be? said Camier.
I believe so, said Mercier, yes, I believe, not firmly, no, but I be-
lieve, yes, the day is coming when all will be in order, at last.
That will be delightful, said Camier.
Let us hope so, said Mercier.
A long look passed between them. Camier said to himself, Even
him I cannot see. A like thought agitated his vis-a.-vis.
Two points seemed nevertheless established as a result of this con–
sultation.
1. Mercier would set off alone, awheel, with the raincoat. Wherev–
er he should stop for the night, at the first stage, he would get all in
readiness to receive Camier. Camier would take the road as soon as the
weather permitted. Camier would keep the umbrella. No mention of
the sack.
2.
It
so chanced that Mercier, up to now, had shown himself the
live wire, Camier the dead weight. The reverse was to be expected at
any moment. On the less weak let the weaker always lean, for the
course
to
follow. They might conceivably be valiant together. That
would be the day. Or the great weakness might overtake them simul–
taneously. Let them in this case not give way to despair, but wait with
confidence for the evil moment to pass. In spite of the vagueness of these
expressions they understood each other, more or less.
Not knowing what to think, said Camier, I look away.
It would seem to be lifting, said Mercier.
The sun comes out at last, said Camier, that we may admire it
sink, below the horizon.
That long moment of brightness, said Mercier, with its thousand
colours, always stirs my heart.
