THE NECKTIE
ONSIEUR BERGERET was hammering nails into the wall of his new flat. Becoming aware that he was enjoying the work, he began to wonder why it gave him pleasure to knock nails into the wall. He found the reason and lost the pleasure. For the pleasure had consisted in hammering the nails without thinking of the reason of anything. Then, as he hung his father's portrait in the place of honour in the drawing-room, he meditated on the sorrows of a philosophical mind.
"It tips forward too much," said Zoé.
"Do you think so?"
"I am sure of it. It looks as if it were going to fall."
Monsieur Bergeret shortened the cord from which the picture hung.
"It isn't straight," said Mademoiselle Bergeret.
"Is it not?"
"No it hangs perceptibly too much to the left."
