IN FRANCE IT'S LE CROSS-COUNTRY

Sempé, whose drawings grace these pages, has the gift of seeing things simply and clearly, and the ability to present what he sees with great charm and humor, without malice or pretension. The result is delightful art and superb reporting: we know now what "le cross-country" is like in France. Sempé used to run, too, but, as he solemnly writes of himself, "The first year he was 59th of 62. The second year, 73rd of 75. The third year, 81st of 82. He then gave up running. One still wonders why."

FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS

SAMPÉ