RANDOM MEMORIES 89 



" And even that's not true, for when I'm 

 drunkest, deep in my black heart, I know, 

 I'm sure, that I'll be drunk again." 



For a long time we walked in silence, 

 till Jean Pierre's sudden chuckle made 

 me start. "Monsieur will know the 

 widow Floric ? The well-rounded little 

 woman with sloe-like eyes, who keeps the 

 tobacco shop upon the place. Vous saveZy 

 all the village folk are match-makers. 

 They tell me she is an angel of patience. 

 So she may be, but an angel who cannot 

 endure contradiction. No, no ; the old 

 boat that has weathered so many storms 

 unaided had best find port alone, . . . and 

 who am I to say that good Saint Sezny 

 was a fool ? " 



