He mademovements with his lips as though he were speaking, but no sound issued fromthem. He gibbered like an idiot. My heart thumped against my ribs, and, I donot know why, I flew into a temper.

"For God'ssake, collect yourself, man, " I said. "What on earth are you talkingabout?"

He madedespairing gestures with his hands, but still no words came from his mouth. Hemight have been struck dumb. I do not know what came over me; I took him by theshoulders and shook him. Looking back, I am vexed that I made such a fool ofmyself; I suppose the last restless nights had shaken my nerves more than Iknew.

"Let mesit down, " he gasped at length.

I filled aglass with St. Galmier, and gave it to him to drink. I held it to his mouth asthough he were a child. He gulped down a mouthful, and some of it was spilt onhis shirt-front.

"Who'skilled herself?"

I do not knowwhy I asked, for I knew whom he meant. He made an effort to collect himself.

"They hada row last night. He went away. "

"Is shedead?"

"No;they've taken her to the hospital. "

"Then whatare you talking about?" I cried impatiently. "Why did you say she'dkilled herself?"

"Don't becross with me. I can't tell you anything if you talk to me like that. "

他的嘴唇动了动，好象在说什么，但是什么声音也没有发出来。他象个白痴似地胡乱地说了一些没有意义的话。我的一颗心在胸腔里扑腾腾地乱跳，不知为什么，我突然发起火来。

“看在上帝面上，你镇定点儿好不好？”我说，“你究竟在说些什么？”

他的两只手做了几个绝望的姿势，仍然说不出一句整话来。他好象突然受到巨大的惊吓，变成哑巴了。我不知道自己为什么火冒三丈，我抓着他的肩膀拼命地摇撼。我猜想前几夜我一直休息不好，叫我的神经也崩溃了。

“让我坐一会儿，”最后他上气不接下气地说。

我给他倒了一杯圣加米叶酒。我把杯子端到他的嘴边好象在喂一个孩子。他咕咚一声喝了一口，有好些洒在衬衫前襟上。

“谁死了？”

我不懂为什么我还要问这句话，因为我完全知道他说的是谁。他挣扎着想使自己平静下来。

“昨天夜里他们吵嘴了。他离开家了。”

“她已经死了吗？”

“没有，他们把她送到医院去了。”

“那么你说的是什么？”我不耐烦地喊起来。“为什么你说她死了？”

“别生我的气。你要是这样同我讲话，我就什么也告诉不了你了。”