I sat in thought, I counted the hours; when
the morning came I made ready my last meal. It was a cold day.
Why had she asked me to come myself and bring the dog? Would she tell me
something, speak to me, for the last time? I had nothing more to hope
for. And how would she treat Asop? Asop, Asop, she will torture you! For
my sake she will whip you, caress you too, perhaps, but certainly whip
you, with and without reason; ruin you altogether...
I called Asop to me, patted him, put our two heads together, and picked
up my gun. He was already whining with pleasure, thinking we were going
out after game. I put our heads together once more; I laid the muzzle of
the gun against Asop's neck and fired...
I hired a man to carry Asop's body to Edwarda.
XXXV
The mail-packet was to sail in the afternoon.
I went down to the quay. My things were already on board. Herr Mack
pressed my hand, and said encouragingly that it would be nice weather,
pleasant weather; he would not mind making the trip himself in such
weather. The Doctor came walking down. Edwarda was with him; I felt my
knees beginning to tremble.
"Came to see you safely off," said the Doctor.
I thanked him.
Edwarda looked me straight in the face and said:
"I must thank you for your dog.
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