My brother said to me, “Let us take to the hollow road.”

There existed a hollow way wherein one saw neither a single shrub nor a spear of moss. Everything was dirt-colored, even the sky. After proceeding a few paces, I received no reply when I spoke: I perceived that my brother was no longer with me.

I entered a village which I espied. I reflected that it must be Romainville⁠ ⁠… why Romainville?

The first street that I entered was deserted. I entered a second street. Behind the angle formed by the two streets, a man was standing erect against the wall. I said to this man:⁠—

“What country is this? Where am I?” The man made no reply. I saw the door of a house open, and I entered.

The first chamber was deserted. I entered the second. Behind the door of this chamber a man was standing erect against the wall. I inquired of this man, “Whose house is this? Where am I?” The man replied not.