Didine

Polyte reflected, then turned to Didine as if seeking guidance.

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942

He looked at Didine, nodding her head in satisfaction; at Méjat, staring with disgust at his bloodstained hands; at the policeman, peering about him in bewilderment; at Airaud, bandaging his thumb with a checked handkerchief.

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942

He gazed abstractedly at Didine, as if he did not know who she was.

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942

For all he knew, Didine and her customs officer were a pair of nuts.

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942

He had forgotten Didine, when he heard her ask, in her usual quiet way:

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942

On the other side of the glass door, Forlacroix, his neck stretched to the uttermost, was straining to hear what was being said, and Didine was perched on the very edge of her seat.

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942

He had come across a good many oddities in the course of his career, but this elderly couple, the retired customs officer and his Didine, spying on the Judge in his home, from their little cottage, holding the ladder for each other …!

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942

“‘Didine … ’ ” My name is Adine, but everyone calls me Didine.

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942

He picked his way back among the oyster shells, the garbage cans and broken bottles, parted from Didine in the street, and went into the police station.

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942

Didine had found this out, and, even after all these years, could not forget the cool indifference with which her proposition had been brushed aside, or, rather, not so much brushed aside as ignored.

Maigret In Exile Simenon, Georges, 1903-1989 1942