Wounded or Dead?

They took the stretcher out secretly through the back door. We

were looking through the slats of the shutters. One of them went

back -

he must have forgotten something - maybe his comb. In the

street

the sheet gleamed all the whiter. The lights hadn't been turned

on yet.

I wonder if they'll have time - he said. The one with the cigarette

which had gone out:

I - he said - why should they hide him? The woman bent down

next to him;

her thighs showed all the way up. From the opposite side,

the big dog was approaching, holding in its teeth the mask

which was identical to the face of the one lying on the stretcher.

And suddenly

the five strong lamps came on. Underneath, motionless,

the five informers wearing new black hats. We

moved away quickly from the slats of the shutters. The room was

all lit

with lines and stripes - underlinings under invisible errors,

and on the table, the jewellery case, the keys and one of his shoes.