It must really almost be like being split in two.

Where is does it hurt the most, that I may kiss it and make it well ?" He had carefully slid one of his big hands under her back, and now he drew her toward him, bending over to kiss her stomach through the covers, touched by a rough man's compassion for the suffering of a woman in childbirth.

He inquired if he was hurting her.

Gervaise felt very happy, and answered him that it didn't hurt any more at all.

She was only worried about getting up as soon as possible, because there was no time to lie about now.