Section 26 Summary

This section begins with the phrase, "About meals at Vigny..."

At the institute, Bardamu receives several sinister letters concerning his relations with Robinson. Bardamu suspects Madelon and begins fearing a visit from her, or worse, from the police. Bardamu and his colleagues habitually play cards with a local policeman, Gustave Mandamour. One Sunday, Gustave mentions having seen a woman stalking the institute who fits Madelon's description.

Robinson panics at learning Madelon's whereabouts and yet he refuses to take any action about it. Neither going back with her nor running away to a new place appeals to him and even the fear that she will report him to the police means little. Finally, one Saturday night, Madelon pays Bardamu a visit. Filled with his authority as head of an institute, Bardamu brusquely tells her to get lost and to leave the sick Robinson alone...