THE COLLECTED NOVELS OF GUY DE MAUPASSANT. Guy de Maupassant

why?”

      “Then you must know something about agriculture?”

      “Yes.”

      “Well, talk to him about gardening and the crops. He is very fond of that sort of thing.”

      “Good; I will not forget.”

      She left him, after kissing him to an indefinite extent, the duel having stimulated her affection.

      Duroy thought, as he made his way to the office, “What a strange being. What a feather brain. Can one tell what she wants and what she cares for? And what a strange household. What fanciful being arranged the union of that old man and this madcap? What made the inspector marry this giddy girl? A mystery. Who knows? Love, perhaps.” And he concluded: “After all, she is a very nice little mistress, and I should be a very big fool to let her slip away from me.”