Je ne sais quoi, * something or other

1. 32. pût, imperf. subj. The subjunctive is required in a relative clause dépendent on a négative such as that contained in il n^y avait. Cf. p. 20, 1. 32.

propos, 'words', *language'.

1. 5. un instant d'humeur, *a moment of bad temper'. „ pouvait ne pas me regarder, ^might not concern me'. Notice that it is me regarder which is negatived — it was possible {pouvait) that it concerned him, but it was also possible that it did not do so.

1. 7. peut-être .. .ne faisait-il que raconter, *perhaps he was only recounting'. Notice the inversion of the order and cf. p, 23, 1. 18. ne faire que=. 'to do nothing but', * to do only'.