They clumsily tried to put on graceful ways, radiant with
internal joy directly a customer seemed to nibble, but clouding over and
casting black glances at their companions when the latter seemed to have
the better chance. Out of the dozen the doctor began by setting three
aside, and finally he detained but one, in order that he might study her
more fully.
"One can see that Monsieur le Docteur knows his business," Madame
Broquette allowed herself to say, with a flattering smile. "I don't often
have such pearls. But she has only just arrived, otherwise she would
probably have been engaged already. I can answer for her as I could for
myself, for I have put her out before."
The nurse was a dark woman of about twenty-six, of average height, built
strongly enough, but having a heavy, common face with a hard-looking jaw.
Having already been in service, however, she held herself fairly well.
"So that child is not your first one?" asked the doctor.
"No, monsieur, he's my third."
Then Boutan inquired into her circumstances, studied her papers, took her
into Madame Broquette's private room for examination, and on his return
make a minute inspection of her child, a strong plump boy, some three
months old, who in the interval had remained very quiet on an armchair.
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