What a movement suddenly takes place in the room! The old
gentleman heaves himself up from the sofa--the person with one ear
starts forward, and in so doing, gives the young lady a blow (the
dromedary!) which makes her knock against the tea-table, whereby
the poor lady, who was just about springing up from the sofa, is
pushed down again--the children hop about and clap their hands--
the door flies open--a young officer enters--the young girl throws
herself into his arms. So, indeed! Aha, now we have it! I put to
my shutters so violently that they cracked, and seated myself on a
chair, quite wet through with rain, and with my knees trembling.
What had I to do at the window? That is what one gets when one is
inquisitive.
Eight days ago, this family had removed from the country into the
handsome house opposite to me; and it had never yet occurred to me
to ask who they were, or whence they came. What need was there for
me to-night to make myself acquainted with their domestic concerns
in an illicit manner? How could it interest me? I was in an ill-humor;
perhaps, too, I felt some little heartache. But for all that, true
to my resolution, not to give myself up to anxious thoughts when they
could do no good, I seized the pen with stiff fingers, and, in order
to dissipate my vexation, wished to attempt a description of domestic
happiness, of a happiness which I had never enjoyed. For the rest, I
philosophized whilst I blew upon my stiffened hands.
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