adame Bovary
By Gustave Flaubert
We were in class when the headmaster came in, followed by a “new fellow,” not wearing the school uniform. Those who had been asleep woke up, and every one rose as if just surprised at his work.
The headmaster made a sign to us to sit down. Then, turning to the class-master, he said to him in a low voice—
“Monsieur Roger, here is a pupil whom I recommend to your care. If his work and conduct are satisfactory, he will go into one of the upper classes.”
The “new fellow,” standing in the corner behind the door so that he could hardly be seen, was a boy of about fifteen, and taller than any of us. His hair was cut square on his forehead. He looked reliable, but very ill at ease. Although he was not broad-shouldered, his short school jacket of green cloth with black buttons must have been tight about the armholes. His red wrists looked accustomed to being bare. His legs, in blue stockings, looked out from beneath yellow trousers. He wore stout, ill-cleaned boots.
We began repeating the lesson. He listened attentively, not daring even to cross his legs or lean on his elbow. When at two o’clock the bell rang, the class-master had to tell him to fall into line with the rest of us.
Adapted from Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert, Public domain.
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Questions
Which details show that the new student is probably not wearing his usual clothing? Select all that apply.
“Those who had been asleep woke up, and every one rose as if just surprised at his work.”
“Monsieur Roger, here is a pupil whom I recommend to your care. If his work and conduct are satisfactory, he will go into one of the upper classes.”
“Although he was not broad-shouldered, his short school jacket of green cloth with black buttons must have been tight about the armholes.”
“He wore stout, ill-cleaned boots.”
- “Although he was not broad-shouldered, his short school jacket of green cloth with black buttons must have been tight about the armholes.”
- “He wore stout, ill-cleaned boots.”