The Colony

man... and then he is very gracious, very polite. But also I would not dare to scold him, to pester him like Blaise, for we had our quarrels! ... Ah! I loved him well... but he is dead, one must not think of it anymore.

BLAISE (who has entered near the end of the monologue, examining everything he sees with astonishment.)
It is an avenue... there is a pavilion... I saw some houses over there...! Come, one must hope that I will not die of it, and that I will find someone to speak to... But wait... eh!... it is... it is her. It is you, my dear Marine!

Ah! Heavens! Ah! You gave me a scare! Eh! But it is you, Blaise! Eh! So you are not dead?

Me dead! Not that I know of. I came here from rock to rock, and I did not save myself all alone, no. I dragged with me a trunk full of money, linen, gold-braided clothes; I will sell all that in the country since there are people here, and if it is good living there, we will settle ourselves there... But tell me then, my child, tell me how did you save yourself? I truly believed you were at the very bottom of the sea; I truly wept for you. But let me embrace you! I am so happy to see you... and you, you say nothing; is it joy that makes you mute?

Certainly... I expected it so little... (aside) How to tell him all that, ah!

That can well be, it has that effect on me sometimes. For example, when I saw that the fish did not want me in their company, I was there on the shore, all stunned, like this, ah!

You will be much more stunned when you know everything.

Well, tell me then quickly, tell me, tell me. Do you already know anyone here?