Madame Bovary - Penn State University

Flaubertsometimes came as far as Yonville. So he did not take up the he was eating his oats all right; for on arriving at a patient’s hedefence of Bovary; he did not even make a single remark, first of all looked after his mare and his gig. People even saidand, renouncing his principles, he sacrificed his dignity to the about this—more serious interests of his business.“Ah! Monsieur Canivet’s a character!”This amputation of the thigh by Doctor Canivet was a great And he was the more esteemed for this imperturbable coolness.The universe to the last man might have died, and heevent in the village. On that day all the inhabitants got upearlier, and the Grande Rue, although full of people, had somethinglugubrious about it, as if an execution had been ex-Homais presented himself.would not have missed the smallest of his habits.pected. At the grocer’s they discussed Hippolyte’s illness; the “I count on you,” said the doctor. “Are we ready? Comeshops did no business, and Madame Tuvache, the mayor’s along!”wife, did not stir from her window, such was her impatience But the druggist, turning red, confessed that he was tooto see the operator arrive.sensitive to assist at such an operation.He came in his gig, which he drove himself. But the springs “When one is a simple spectator,” he said, “the imagination,you know, is impressed. And then I have such a nervousof the right side having at length given way beneath the weightof his corpulence, it happened that the carriage as it rolled system!”along leaned over a little, and on the other cushion near him “Pshaw!” interrupted Canivet; “on the contrary, you seemcould be seen a large box covered in red sheep-leather, whose to me inclined to apoplexy. Besides, that doesn’t astonish me,three brass clasps shone grandly.for you chemist fellows are always poking about your kitchens,which must end by spoiling your constitutions. NowAfter he had entered like a whirlwind the porch of the “Liond’Or,” the doctor, shouting very loud, ordered them to just look at me. I get up every day at four o’clock; I shaveunharness his horse. Then he went into the stable to see that with cold water (and am never cold). I don’t wear flannels,157