Rodolphe left his hat, coat, and cane at the gate, and assumed his customary leather working-apron, boots, and hard hat. Cheerful supply workers passed out free sugared pastries and tiny cups of strong Algerian coffee. The chaffing and gossip of the crowd sounded shriller than usual, to Rodolphe’s ears. As if they were doing all this for the last time, and saving nothing for the morrow.