" M. Honoré is coming down the staircase. He holds himself straight and stiff, his cane under his arm. He does not look at Monsieur Karl, but through him. And every time Monsieur Karl feels humiliated. He wouldn't mind being hated: but he doesn't want to be ignored. He has the impression that he no longer exists, while this cracked Frenchman is going past. "

― Romain Gary ,