It seemed to confess everything, and yet not to ask for pity, nor to pretend, on the other hand, to a rugged ability to do without it.

It might have expressed the state of mind of an innocuous insect, flat in shape and conscious of the impending pressure of a boot-sole, and reflecting that he was perhaps too flat to be crushed.

M.Nioche's gaze was a profession of moral flatness.

"You despise me terribly," he said, in the weakest possible voice.
"Oh no," said Newman, "it is none of my business.

It's a good plan to take things easily." "I made you too many fine speeches," M.Nioche added.