"It is indeed! But all these beds are occupied by women, and the presence of so many men must inspire them with painful confusion!"
"All these fine feelings must be left at the door, my dear Alcestis. Here we begin on the living those experiments and studies which we complete on the dead body in the amphitheatre."
"Doctor, you are one of the best and worthiest of men, and I owe you my life, and I recognise all your excellent qualities; but the practice and love of your art makes you take views of certain questions which are most revolting to me. I leave you. These are things which disgust and pain me; and I foresee that it would be a real punishment to me to be present at your visit. I will wait for you here at the table."
"What a strange person you are with these scruples! But I will not let you have quite your own way. So remain here till I come for you."
"Now, then, gentlemen," said Doctor Griffon; and he began his round, followed by his numerous auditory.
On reaching the first bed on the right hand, the curtains of which were closed, the sister said to the doctor:
"Sir, No. 1 died at half past four o'clock this morning."
"So late? It astonishes me. Yesterday morning I would not have given her the day through. Has her body been claimed?"
"No, sir."
"So much the better. It is a very fine one; we will not dissect it, but I will make a man happy." Then turning to one of the pupils, "My dear Dunoyer, you have long desired a subject; your name is down for the first, and it is yours."