MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-1

[1004] I have a good time coming. [1005] So I put on my clothes, having first
satisfied myself they had suffered no alterations, ^{made sure they had not been tampered with,} that is to say I put
on my trousers, my great coat, my hat and my boots. [1006] My boots. [1007] They
came up to where my calves would have been if I had had calves, and
partly they buttoned, or would have buttoned, if they had had buttons,
and partly they laced, and I have them still, I think, somewhere.

[1008] Then
I took my crutches and left the room. [1009] The whole day had gone in this
tomfoolery and it was dusk again. [1010] Going down the stairs I inspected
the window I had seen through the door. [1011] It lit the staircase with its
wild tawny light. [1012] Lousse was in the garden, fussing around the grave.

[1013] She was sowing grass on it, as if grass wouldn't have sown itself on it.
[1014] She was taking advantage of the cool of evening. [1015] Seeing me, she came
warmly towards me and gave me food and drink. [1016] I ate and drank standing,
casting about me in search of my bicycle. [1017] She was talking ^{[⁁]talked and talked}. [1018] Soon sated,
I began the search for my bicycle. [1019] She followed me. [1020] In the end I found
it, leaning against a bush that half swallowed it up, it was so yielding. ^{[⁁]half buried in a soft bush.}

[1021] I threw aside my crutches and took it in my hands, by the saddle and the
handlebars, intending to wheel it a little, back and forth, before getting
on and leaving for ever this accursed place. [1022] But I pushed and pulled in
vain, the wheels would not turn. [1023] It was as though the brakes were
jammed, and heaven knows they were not, for my bicycle had no brakes.

[1024] And suddenly overcome by a great weariness, in spite of the dying day
when I always felt most alive, I threw the bicycle back in the bush and
lay down on the ground, on the greensward ^[⁁]grass, careless of the dew, I never
feared the dew. [1025] It was then that Lousse, taking advantage of my weakness,
squatted down beside me and began to make me propositions, to which I
must confess I listened, absent-mindedly, I had nothing else to do, I
could do nothing else, and doubtless she had poisoned my beer with