Nana (Barnes & Noble Classics) - Emile Zola [135]
“You know,” he explained, “I say all that out of politeness. As it’s only for fun—well! I think it’ll do!”
He was delighted with himself. But Nana, still dreading a row, was foolish enough not to throw her arms round his neck and utter words of admiration. She thought the letter would do very well, but that was all. Then he was very much put out. If his letter did not please her she could write another one; and, instead of embracing each other, as they usually did after a great many protestations of love, they remained very cold on either side of the table. She had, however, poured him out a cup of tea.
“What muck!” he cried, as he wetted his lips with it. “You have been putting salt into it!” Nana unhappily shrugged her shoulders. He became furious. “Ah! everything’s going wrong this evening!”
And the quarrel started from that. It was only ten by the clock, so it was a way of killing time. He worked himself up, he flung all sorts of accusations at her, full of insults, without giving her time to answer them. She was dirty, she was idiotic, she had led a fine life! Then he raved about the money. Was he in the habit of spending six francs when he dined out? He had his dinners paid for, otherwise he would have taken pot-luck at home. And all for that old procuress Maloir, too—an old hag whom he would pitch downstairs if she dared show herself there again! Ah well! they would go far if every day they chucked six francs into the street in that style!
“First of all,” cried he, “I must have your accounts! Come, give me the money; let me see how we stand now!”
All his miserly instincts were awakened. Nana, subdued and terrified, hastened to fetch the money that was left from the drawer, and laid it before him. Until then the key had been left in the lock and they had each taken what they needed.
“What!” said he, after counting, “there are scarcely seven thousand francs remaining out of seventeen thousand, and we have only been living together for three months. It isn’t possible.”
He rushed from his seat and turned out the drawer by the light of the lamp. But there were really only six thousand eight hundred and a few odd francs. Then the row became a regular storm.
“Ten thousand francs in three months!” he bellowed. “Damnation! what have you done with them, eh? Answer me! It all goes to your old hag of an aunt, eh? or else you’ve been treating yourself—that’s very clear. Answer me at once!”
“Ah! you get in a passion instantly!” said Nana. “It’s very easy to make up the account. You forget all the furniture; then I am obliged to buy a lot of linen. Money soon goes when there is everything to buy.”
But though he demanded explanations, he would not listen to them.
“Yes, it goes a great deal too quickly,” resumed he in a calmer tone of voice; “and look here, young woman, I’ve had enough of this share and share alike business. These seven thousand francs, you know, are mine. Well! now I’ve got them, I intend to stick to them. As you’re so wasteful as all that, I’ll take care I’m not ruined. One has a right to one’s own”; and he magisterially put the money in his pocket, whilst Nana looked at him in amazement. Then he complaisantly continued, “You understand, I’m not such a fool as to keep aunts and children who are not mine. It pleased you to spend your money, and that was your business; but mine is sacred! When you cook a leg of mutton, I’ll pay half. Every night we’ll settle up!”
On hearing this, Nana revolted. She could not restrain a cry, “I say, that’s disgusting! You had your share of my ten thousand francs! ”
But he did not waste more