The grass an odour of summer; flies buzzed in the air, the sun shone on the river and warmed the roof. Old Mother Simon had returned to Felicite and was peacefully falling asleep.  
The ringing of bells woke her; the people were coming out of church. Felicite’s . By thinking of the procession, she was able to see it as if she had taken part in it. All the school-children, the singers and the firemen walked on the sidewalks, while in the middle of the street came first the of the church with his halberd, then the beadle with a large cross, the teacher in charge of the boys and a sister escorting the little girls; three of the smallest ones, with curly heads, threw rose leaves into the air; the deacon with outstretched arms conducted the music; and two incense-bearers turned with each step they took toward the Holy Sacrament, which was carried by M. le Cure, in his handsome chasuble and walking under a of red supported by four men. A crowd of people followed, jammed between the walls of the houses hung with white sheets; at last the procession arrived at the foot of the hill.
 
A cold sweat broke out on Felicite’s forehead. Mother Simon wiped it away with a cloth, saying inwardly that some day she would have to go through the same thing herself.
 
The of the crowd grew louder, was very distinct for a moment and then died away. A volley of musketry shook the window-panes. It was the postilions the Sacrament. Felicite rolled her eyes, and said as loudly as she could:
 
“Is he all right?” meaning the parrot.
 
Her death agony began. A that grew more and more rapid shook her body. Froth appeared at the corners of her mouth, and her whole frame trembled. In a little w............