Have you questioned her, at any rate ?" Pierre replied: "No; I had not noticed that there was anything the matter with her." At this Roland was angry.
"But it stares you in the face, confound you! What on earth is the good of your being a doctor if you cannot even see that your mother is out of sorts?
Why, look at her, just look at her.

Really, a man might die under his very eyes and this doctor would never think there was anything the matter!" Mme.

Roland was panting for breath, and so white that her husband exclaimed: "She is going to faint." "No, no, it is nothing--I shall get better directly--it is nothing." Pierre had gone up to her and was looking at her steadily.
"What ails you ?" he said.

And she repeated in an undertone: "Nothing, nothing--I assure you, nothing." Roland had gone to fetch some vinegar; he now returned, and handing the bottle to his son he said: "Here--do something to ease her.

Have you felt her heart ?" As Pierre bent over her to feel her pulse she pulled away her hand so vehemently that she struck it against a chair which was standing by.
"Come," said he in icy tones, "let me see what I can do for you, as you are ill." Then she raised her arm and held it out to him.