358
SAMUEL BECKETT
Dormant, said Camier, but under the surface mischief is brewing.
What will you do then? saidMercier.
I dread to think, said Camier.
I would just manage a cream puff, said Mercier.
Wait here, said Camier.
No no! cried Mercier. Don't leave me! Don't let us leave each
other!
Camier left the archway and began to cross the street. Mercier
called him back and an altercation ensued, too foolish to be recorded,
so foolish was it.
Another would take umbrage, said Camier. Not I, all things con–
sidered. For I say to myself, The hour is grave and Mercier ... well ...
he advanced towards Mercier who promptly recoiled. I was only going
to
embrace you, said Camier. I'll do it some other time, when you're
less yourself, if I think of it.
He went out into the rain and disappeared. Alone in the archway
Mercier began pacing
to
and fro, deep in bitter thought. It was their
first separation since the morning of the day before. Raising suddenly
his eyes, as from a vision no longer to be borne, he saw two children, a
little boy and a little girl, standing gazing at him. They wore little
black oilskins with hoods, identical, and the boy had a little satchel on
his back. They held each other by the hand.
Papa! they said, with one voice or nearly.
Good-evening, my children, said Mercier, get along with you
now .
But they did not get a long with them, no, but stood their ground,
their little clasped hands lightly swinging back and forth. Finally the
little girl drew hers away and advanced towards him they had ad–
dressed as papa . She stretched out her little arms towards him, as if to
invite a kiss, or at least a caress. The little boy followed suit, with
visible misgiving. Mercier raised his foot and dashed it against the
pavement. Be off with you! he cried. He bore down on them, wildly
gesturing and his face contorted. The children backed away
to
the
sidewalk and there stood still again. Fuck off out of here! screamd
Mercier. He flew at them in a fury and they took to their heels. But
soon they halted and looked back. What they saw then must have im–
pressed them strongly, for they ran on and bolted down the first side–
street. As for the unfortunate Mercier, satisfied after a few minutes of
fuming tenterhooks that the danger was past, he returned dripping to
