Mademoiselle de Maupin, v2 . ld have spoken only in velvet and satin phrases; atmy slightest movement they would have acted as if theywere going to stretch themselves out on the floor by wayof carpet, for fear that my tender feet might be bruisedby its inequalities; every hand would have been held outto support me; the softest chair would have been placedin the most desirable position;—but I had the outwardappearance of a pretty boy and not of a pretty girl. I confess that I was almost on the point of regrettingmy petticoats, when I saw how little attention they paidme.—I was deeply mortified
Mademoiselle de Maupin, v2 . ld have spoken only in velvet and satin phrases; atmy slightest movement they would have acted as if theywere going to stretch themselves out on the floor by wayof carpet, for fear that my tender feet might be bruisedby its inequalities; every hand would have been held outto support me; the softest chair would have been placedin the most desirable position;—but I had the outwardappearance of a pretty boy and not of a pretty girl. I confess that I was almost on the point of regrettingmy petticoats, when I saw how little attention they paidme.—I was deeply mortified for a moment; for fromtime to time I forgot that I was now wearing mansclothes, and I had to remind myself of it in order toavoid an attack of bad temper. adapter X The inn-keeper approached to ask me what I wantedfor supper. He was a pot-bellied man, with a red nose, wall-eyes,and a smile that made the circuit of his head. At everyword he uttered he showed a double row of pointed teethwith spaces between, like an MADEMOISELLE DE MAUPIN 65 I sat there, not saying a word, with folded arms,apparently watching with close attention the chickenon the spit, which was turning browner and browner,and the unfortunate dog whose rest I had so unluckilydisturbed, who was struggling away in his wheel likeseveral devils in the same holy-water vessel. The youngest of the party brought his hand down onmy shoulder with a force that made me wince, on myword, and extorted from me a little involuntary shriek,and asked me if I would not prefer to sup with themrather than all alone, as several could drink better thanone.—I answered that it was a pleasure I should nothave dared to hope for, and that I would be very gladto do it. Our places were laid together and we tookour seats at the table. The panting dog, after swallowing an enormousdipperful of water with three laps of his tongue, re-sumed his post opposite the other dog, who had notstirred any more than if he had been made of porc
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