Jules et Jim Page #4

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The husband doesn't count.

Who wrote:
"Woman is natural,

therefore abominable?"

Baudelaire. But he meant

a certain class.

Not at all.

He meant women in general.

Here's how he describes

a young girl:

"Monster, assassin of the arts.

Little fool, little slut.

A blend of idiocy and depravity."

Wait, that's not all.

This is marvelous:

"I wonder why women are

allowed to enter churches.

What could they hope

to say to God?"

- You're a pair of fools.

- I haven't said anything.

And I don't approve

of what Jules says at 2 in the morning.

- Then protest!

- I am protesting.

Jim never forgot that jump.

He drew it the next day,

though he was not an artist.

His admiration for Catherine

struck him like lightning...

as he blew her an invisible kiss.

He didn't worry.

He was swimming with her mentally,

and held his breath to frighten Jules.

Catherine, why?

You're crazy.

Her hat drifted away.

Jules was pale, silent, unsure of himself,

and more handsome.

Catherine had a triumphant smile.

No one spoke about her jump.

- I've arrived.

- Please, Mr. Jim.

- No, just Jim.

- Just Jim.

I want to ask you some advice.

Can you meet me tomorrow

at 7 in our caf?

Yes.

- She wants to talk to you.

- Right, I'll be there at 7.

- Are you joking?

- I never joke.

I've no sense of humor.

I know people who have.

My wife's friends, working relations.

But personally, I never joke.

Jim was late, as usual,

because he was an optimist.

He was afraid she had already left.

Jim thought:
"A girl like that...

would probably not have waited.

A girl like that

might have just walked in...

without noticing me

behind my newspaper, and left. "

He kept repeating:

"A girl like that."

But what was she like?

For the first time,

he began to think of her.

Another coffee, please.

Another glass.

Did I wake you up, Jim?

We're going to my country,

to get married.

Tell her I'm sorry I was late.

I waited almost till 8.

She's more optimistic than you.

She was at the hairdresser...

and arrived at 8

to have dinner with you.

If I had known she'd come,

I could have waited until midnight.

Catherine wants to speak to you.

I'm very happy, Jim.

Jules will teach me French boxing.

With an Austrian accent.

I've lost my accent!

My French is perfect!

Listen to the Marseillaise.

A few days later,

war was declared.

Jules and Jim were separated

by their uniforms...

and lost touch for a long time.

The war was never ending.

Gradually, it became

like a normal life...

tempered by the different seasons.

A normal life with dead beats, routines,

pauses, and even distractions.

Gilberte sent parcels to Jim.

He almost saw her a few times,

but each time his leave was canceled.

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