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 AN EARTHQUAKE

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greatly shaken by the earthquake, could not control himself and began to roar with laughter. Immediately after this there was a fresh shock : the earth cracked almost under their feet and swallowed the Gambs chair and upholstery that was lying about. Hippolyte was crawling round on all fours, his face turned up towards the sun: the great schemer had fainted. When Bender came to again, he saw that Hippolyte was lying at his side ; he too had fainted. ‘ After all,’ said Bender in a weak voice, ‘ we’ve still one chance left. The last chair- ’ At the sound of the word ‘ chair ’ Hippolyte opened his eyes. ‘ The last chair disappeared into the goods yard of the October railway station,’ continued Bender, ‘ but it has certainly not been swallowed up in an earthquake. Why worry ? Let the good work go on !