Page 143 - madame-bovary

‘No,’ she replied.
‘Why?’
‘Because—‘
And pursing her lips she slowly drew a long stitch of grey
thread.
This work irritated Leon. It seemed to roughen the ends
of her fingers. A gallant phrase came into his head, but he
did not risk it.
‘Then you are giving it up?’ he went on.
‘What?’ she asked hurriedly. ‘Music? Ah! yes! Have I not
my house to look after, my husband to attend to, a thousand
things, in fact, many duties that must be considered first?’
She looked at the clock. Charles was late. Then, she af-
fected anxiety. Two or three times she even repeated, ‘He
is so good!’
The clerk was fond of Monsieur Bovary. But this tender-
ness on his behalf astonished him unpleasantly; nevertheless
he took up on his praises, which he said everyone was sing-
ing, especially the chemist.
‘Ah! he is a good fellow,’ continued Emma.
‘Certainly,’ replied the clerk.
And he began talking of Madame Homais, whose very
untidy appearance generally made them laugh.
‘What does it matter?’ interrupted Emma. ‘A good house-
wife does not trouble about her appearance.’
Then she relapsed into silence.
It was the same on the following days; her talks, her
manners, everything changed. She took interest in the
housework, went to church regularly, and looked after her

1 Madame Bovary