Page 177 - madame-bovary

CHAPTER EIGHT

t last it came, the famous agricultural show. On the
Amorning of the solemnity all the inhabitants at their
doors were chatting over the preparations. The pediment
of the town hall had been hung with garlands of ivy; a tent
had been erected in a meadow for the banquet; and in the
middle of the Place, in front of the church, a kind of bom-
barde was to announce the arrival of the prefect and the
names of the successful farmers who had obtained prizes.
The National Guard of Buchy (there was none at Yonville)
had come to join the corps of firemen, of whom Binet was
captain. On that day he wore a collar even higher than usu-
al; and, tightly buttoned in his tunic, his figure was so stiff
and motionless that the whole vital portion of his person
seemed to have descended into his legs, which rose in a ca-
dence of set steps with a single movement. As there was
some rivalry between the tax-collector and the colonel, both,
to show off their talents, drilled their men separately. One
saw the red epaulettes and the black breastplates pass and
re-pass alternately; there was no end to it, and it constantly
began again. There had never been such a display of pomp.
Several citizens had scoured their houses the evening be-
fore; tri-coloured flags hung from half-open windows; all
the public-houses were full; and in the lovely weather the
starched caps, the golden crosses, and the coloured neck-

1 Madame Bovary