—Well, there they are, but do not touch.
—Oh, oh, you are cheating. That is only half, I want to see them all … up to the knees.]
[Illustration]
—Ah, what a pretty girl! Look how strong and well made she is! continued the old President passing his trembling hand over the young girl's waist: have not these breasts grown a little thin? Yes, I believe, a little, a little, but how firm they are! like a rock, like a rock; hard as a rock, heavenly girl…. Eh, eh! you are drawing back, you are afraid of me … of me who might be your papa.
—And perhaps my grandpapa, said Zulma.
—Grandpapa! Ah, the little girl is not flattering. Grandfather! you think then that I am quite old? I am going to pinch her calves for that naughty word, those big calves which I saw at Vic, and which have turned my head. Have they grown smaller too? Let us see, let us see.
Zulma held back the too presumptuous hand.
—What, said the worthy man astonished, you will not show your calves?
—What is the good, since you have seen them at Vic?
—I want to see them again, again, again.