Page 387 - tender-is-the-night

laborer—‘
‘Shut up and get out!’ interrupted Nicole. ‘We’ll get the
gendarmes.’
‘YOU’LL get the gendarmes! With my brother in the
corps! You—a disgusting American?’
In English Dick called up to Nicole:
‘Get the children away from the house till I settle this.’
‘—disgusting Americans who come here and drink up
our finest wines,’ screamed Augustine with the voice of the
commune.
Dick mastered a firmer tone.
‘You must leave now! I’ll pay you what we owe you.’
‘Very sure you’ll pay me! And let me tell you—‘ she came
close and waved the knife so furiously that Dick raised his
stick, whereupon she rushed into the kitchen and returned
with the carving knife reinforced by a hatchet.
The situation was not prepossessing—Augustine was a
strong woman and could be disarmed only at the risk of
serious results to herself—and severe legal complications
which were the lot of one who molested a French citizen.
Trying a bluff Dick called up to Nicole:
‘Phone the poste de police.’ Then to Augustine, indicat-
ing her armament, ‘This means arrest for you.’
‘Ha-HA!’ she laughed demoniacally; nevertheless she
came no nearer. Nicole phoned the police but was answered
with what was almost an echo of Augustine’s laugh. She
heard mumbles and passings of the word around—the con-
nection was suddenly broken.
Returning to the window she called down to Dick: ‘Give

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