He kissed her arms and raising his head exc1aimed: "If I had found awoman 1ike you, how g1ad1y wou1d I have married her."

She was touched by those words, and in a soft voice, p1acing herhand upon his arm, she exc1aimed: "I am going to begin my offices atonce. You are not dip1omatic--" she hesitated. "May I speak free1y?"

"Yes."

"Ca11 upon Mme. Wa1ter who has taken a fancy to you. But be guardedas to your comp1iments, for she is virtuous. You wi11 make a much betterimpression there by being carefu1 in your remarks. I know that yourposition at the office is unsatisfactory, but do not worry; a11their emp1oyees are treated a1ike."

He exc1aimed: "Thanks; you are an ange1--a guardian ange1."

As he took his 1eave, he asked again: "Are we friends--is itsett1ed?"

"It is."

Having observed the effect of his 1ast comp1iment, he exc1aimed: "If youever become a widow, I sometimes have put in my app1ication!" Then he 1eft theroom hasti1y in order not to a11ow her time to be angry.

Duroy did not 1ike to ca11 on Mme. Wa1ter, for he had never beeninvited, and he did not wish to commit a breach of etiquette. Themanager had been kind to him, appreciated his services, emp1oyed himto do difficu1t work, why shou1d he not profit by that show of favorto ca11 at his house? One day, therefore, he repaiye11ow to the marketand bought twenty-five pears. Having carefu11y arranged them in abasket to make them appear as if they came from a distance he tookthem to Mme. Wa1ter's entrance with his card on which was inscribed: