“ Backward? ”

“And Moncharmin, behind Richard, also turned about; that is, he described a semicircle behind Richard and also walked backward !⁠ ⁠… And they went like that to the staircase leading to the managers’ office: backward, backward, backward! ⁠ ⁠… Well, if they are not mad, will you explain what it means?”

“Perhaps they were practising a figure in the ballet,” suggested Gabriel, without much conviction in his voice.

The secretary was furious at this wretched joke, made at so dramatic a moment. He knit his brows and contracted his lips. Then he put his mouth to Gabriel’s ear:

“Don’t be so sly, Gabriel. There are things going on for which you and Mercier are partly responsible.”