He was fond of the actresses, delighted in chatting with them, gave them good advice, and listened with delicacy to their confidences.

He promised Felicie that he would write her a prescription at once.
"We'll attend to the stomach, my dear child, and you'll see no more cats under the chairs and tables." Madame Michon was adjusting the actress's stays.

The doctor, suddenly gloomy, watched her tugging at the laces.
"Don't scowl," said Felicie.

"I am never tight-laced.

With my waist I should surely be a fool if I were." And she added, thinking of her best friend in the theatre, "It's all very well for Fagette, who has no shoulders and no hips; she's simply straight up and down.