...of passive automobilism

"People will chuck stones at us," Julia went on, "And anyway, do you know how to drive such a contraption?"

Paul doesn't deign to answer and takes his place at the wheel. Valentin sits in the back. Julia resigns herself to getting in.

They drive off in a silence of grandeur, and Valentin waves to his mute friends and acquaintances. When the car had disappeared, the people went home in silence.

During the journey Julia didn't open her trap, whilst Paul from time to time tossed a few words into the back such as: "And what about your trip to Germany? Have to tell us all about it! How's the business doing? Where'd you like to go?" but Valentin, completely absorbed in the joys of passive automobilism, only replied with indistinctions.

[The Sunday of Life, Queneau, R.]