Page 154 - madame-bovary
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Bovary; drink a little tea, that will strengthen you, or else a
       glass of fresh water with a little moist sugar.’
         ‘Why?’ And she looked like one awaking from a dream.
         ‘Well, you see, you were putting your hand to your fore-
       head.  I  thought  you  felt  faint.’  Then,  bethinking  himself,
       ‘But you were asking me something? What was it? I really
       don’t remember.’
         ‘I? Nothing! nothing!’ repeated Emma.
         And the glance she cast round her slowly fell upon the
       old man in the cassock. They looked at one another face to
       face without speaking.
         ‘Then, Madame Bovary,’ he said at last, ‘excuse me, but
       duty first, you know; I must look after my good-for-noth-
       ings. The first communion will soon be upon us, and I fear
       we shall be behind after all. So after Ascension Day I keep
       them recta* an extra hour every Wednesday. Poor children!
       One cannot lead them too soon into the path of the Lord,
       as, moreover, he has himself recommended us to do by the
       mouth of his Divine Son. Good health to you, madame; my
       respects to your husband.’
         *On the straight and narrow path.
         And he went into the church making a genuflexion as
       soon as he reached the door.
          Emma  saw  him  disappear  between  the  double  row  of
       forms, walking with a heavy tread, his head a little bent
       over his shoulder, and with his two hands half-open behind
       him.
         Then she turned on her heel all of one piece, like a statue
       on a pivot, and went homewards. But the loud voice of the

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