The Happy Foreigner by Enid Bagnold
page 15 of 274 (05%)
page 15 of 274 (05%)
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and the men often sat in it in a spare moment.
The yard cleared suddenly for the eleven o'clock meal. As Fanny passed the limousine a man appeared at the broken window and beckoned to her. His face was white, and he wore his shirt, trousers, and braces. She stopped short with the bucket in her hand. "On est delivre de cette bande!" he said, pointing to the yard, and she went a little nearer. "Wait till I get my coat on," he said softly to her, and struggled into his coat. He put both his hands on the window ledge, leant towards her, and said clearly: "Je suis le president Wilson." "You are the President Wilson," she echoed, hunting for the joke, and willing to smile. He passed her out his water-bottle and a tin box. "You must fill these for me," he said. "Fill the bottle with wine, and get me bread and meat. Be quick. You know I must be off. The King expects me." Where have you come from?" "I slept here last night. I have come far. But I must be quick now, for it's late, and ... I believe in Freedom!" he finished emphatically. "Well, will you wait till I have made you up a parcel of food?" "Only be quick." |
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