Madame Bovary - Penn State University

Flaubertvague gaiety that comes upon us after times of sadness, and atChapter Tenenthe last glass the priest said to the druggist, as he clapped himon the shoulder—HE HAD ONLY RECEIVED the chemist’s letter thirty-six hours“We shall end by understanding one another.”after the event; and, from consideration for his feelings,In the passage downstairs they met the undertaker’s men, Homais had so worded it that it was impossible to make outwho were coming in. Then Charles for two hours had to what it was all about.suffer the torture of hearing the hammer resound against the First, the old fellow had fallen as if struck by apoplexy.wood. Next day they lowered her into her oak coffin, that Next, he understood that she was not dead, but she might be.was fitted into the other two; but as the bier was too large, At last, he had put on his blouse, taken his hat, fastened histhey had to fill up the gaps with the wool of a mattress. At spurs to his boots, and set out at full speed; and the whole oflast, when the three lids had been planed down, nailed, soldered,it was placed outside in front of the door; the house even he was obliged to dismount. He was dizzy; he heardthe way old Rouault, panting, was torn by anguish. Oncewas thrown open, and the people of Yonville began to flock voices round about him; he felt himself going mad.round.Day broke. He saw three black hens asleep in a tree. HeOld Rouault arrived, and fainted on the Place when he saw shuddered, horrified at this omen. Then he promised the Holythe black cloth!Virgin three chasubles for the church, and that he would gobarefooted from the cemetery at Bertaux to the chapel ofVassonville.He entered Maromme shouting for the people of the inn,burst open the door with a thrust of his shoulder, made for asack of oats, emptied a bottle of sweet cider into the manger,285