Then, when the obscurity became complete, they almost split their sides with laughing.
The ladies screamed when the gentlemen pinched their legs.

But they were weren't stupid enough to say anything! The proper plan is to think that it is the mice nibbling at them.

It wasn't very serious; the men knew when to stop.
Boche thought of a joke and everyone took it up.

They called down to Madame Gaudron to ask her if she could squeeze her belly through.

Just think! If she should get stuck there, she would completely block the passage, and how would they ever get out?
They laughed so at the jokes about her belly that the column itself vibrated.