Hobohemians

76Bela appeared from the terrace. “How did you get on?” asked Willy.

77The Hungarian’s sallow face reddened. “He is a pigdog of the worst swineishness. He came up in the middle of this glug party and complained to me: ‘I do wish you could manage to conduct yourself better in conversation with my friends. They are mostly very well connected.’—He kept looking at me, especially during dinner, watching me eat. We came away with two of his stuck-up friends and he called a taxi. Just as I got forward to get in he said: ‘Well, good-night, mein Freund [my friend]. I hope to see you soon.’—Midnight, the other side of the town and I hadn’t a sou. I will break his neck.”

78Heinke swore: “Yes, he’s a dog.” To Willy: “Serve him right.” He had quarrelled with Bela that morning and been half-strangled. The Hungarian moved off. Willy called out: “Lisette.”

79Lisette was fresh to Montparnasse, runaway from some village in Alsace. She spoke German with Willy and Heinke when they were tired, and French when they occasionally felt the necessity of learning that language. She acted the two rôles of café-grisette [bohemian café girl] and model. For the benefit of a party of tourists at the next table apache [Parisian street tough] Willy and grisette [working-class bohemian girl] Lisette cuddled in argot [slang].

80Viktor returned to the table: “You are a swindler, Heinke, I am sure you have money.”

81“I haven’t.”

82“Then Willy must pay something if we play billiards.” Willy hesitated. Viktor was the only man who exercised sufficient attraction to make him cold-bloodedly avow how much he had. His tongue wavered. A cheerful voice greeted the company. Viktor grunted: “Stupid doktor philosoph [doctor of philosophy].” Heinke moved away. Herr Doktor Jank sat down beside Willy and close to Lisette, who was providing seven tourists with very professional glimpses of five minute poses. Viktor at last decided to pay for the billiards. Willy said that he wouldn’t be long, he would follow.

83Herr Doktor was vividly sensitive to Lisette. He ordered a catholic series of liqueurs. Then he asked Willy: “Is this one of the girls you mean?”—“Yes.”—“Is she anything to do with Heinke?”—“Oh no, anyone’s property, treat her nicely, drinks, twenty francs. Heinke likes her, that’s all, but I’d rather see her with someone sympathetic, he’s hard, as you say.” Willy lyrically expatiated on the rare place in feminine creation little things like Lisette occupied. “Do anything for one. Ruin themselves for love.” He left them discussing village life in Lothringen.