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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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