"
At the mention of Boutan a friendly shout arose. Oh! Boutan, Boutan! he
was like all other specialists. Seguin sneered; Beauchene jested about
the legislature decreeing compulsory nursing by mothers; and only Mathieu
and Marianne remained silent.
"Of course, my dear friend, we are not jesting about you," said
Constance, turning towards the latter. "Your children are superb, and
nobody says the contrary."
Marianne gayly waved her hand, as if to reply that they were free to make
fun of her if they pleased. But at this moment she perceived that
Gervais, profiting by her inattention, was busy seeking his "paradise
lost." And thereupon she set him on the ground: "Ah, no, no, monsieur!"
she exclaimed. "I have told you that it is all over. Can't you see that
people would laugh at us?"
Then for her and her husband came a delightful moment. He was looking at
her with deep emotion. Her duty accomplished, she was now returning to
him, for she was spouse as well as mother. Never had he thought her so
beautiful, possessed of so strong and so calm a beauty, radiant with the
triumph of happy motherhood, as though indeed a spark of something divine
had been imparted to her by that river of milk that had streamed from her
bosom.
Pages:
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336