The others gave way
to her in everything to avoid sending her into a temper which might have
spoilt her milk. At her slightest indisposition everybody was distracted.
One night she had an attack of indigestion, and all the doctors in the
neighborhood were rung up to attend on her. Her only real defect,
perhaps, was a slight inclination for pilfering; she appropriated some
linen that was lying about, but madame would not hear of the matter being
mentioned.
There was also the chapter of the presents which were heaped on her in
order to keep her in good temper. Apart from the regulation present when
the child cut its first tooth, advantage was taken of various other
occasions, and a ring, a brooch, and a pair of earrings were given her.
Naturally she was the most adorned nurse in the Champs-Elysees, with
superb cloaks and the richest of caps, trimmed with long ribbons which
flared in the sunlight. Never did lady lead a life of more sumptuous
idleness. There were also the presents which she extracted for her
husband and her little girl at the village. Parcels were sent them by
express train every week. And on the morning when news came that her own
baby, carried back by La Couteau, had died from the effects of a bad
cold, she was presented with fifty francs as if in payment for the loss
of her child.
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