Roland had remembered the famous story about Sartre, told by Simone de Beauvoir. He smoked sixty a day and philosophised at length about the pleasures of tobacco. His habit was ruining his health. When his legs gave way and he had a heavy fall he was told frankly by a doctor in the hospital that if he continued smoking, first his toes would be amputated, then his feet and ultimately his legs. If he gave up the habit, his health could be restored. It was his choice. Sartre said that he would need to think it over. The joke, if it was a joke, was lost on Ingrid. Lawrence was amused.
