Sheshookherhead，andhavingcaughtanantontheendofaseveredbladeofgrass，sheamusedherselfbymakingitgofromoneendtotheotherofthesprig，whichshetippedupwhenevertheinsectreachedoneoftheends。Shelistenedwithmuteandcontentedattentiontoallthewonderfuldetailsofthelifeofthesefrailcreatures:theirsubterraneanhomes；themannerinwhichtheyseize，shutup，andfeedplant-licetodrinkthesweetmilkwhichtheysecrete，aswekeepcowsinourbarns；theircustomofdomesticatinglittleblindinsectswhichcleantheanthills，andofgoingtowartocaptureslaveswhowilltakecareoftheirvictorswithsuchtendersolicitudethatthelatterevenlosethehabitoffeedingthemselves。
Andlittlebylittle，asifamaternaltendernesshadsprungupinherheartforthepoorinsectwhichwassotinyandsointelligent，Yvettemadeitclimbonherfinger，lookingatitwithamovedexpression，almostwantingtoembraceit。
AndasServignyreadofthewayinwhichtheyliveincommunities，andplaygamesofstrengthandskillamongthemselves，theyounggirlgrewenthusiasticandsoughttokisstheinsectwhichescapedherandbegantocrawloverherface。Thensheutteredapiercingcry，asifshehadbeenthreatenedbyaterribledanger，andwithfranticgesturestriedtobrushitoffherface。WithaloudlaughServignycaughtitnearhertressesandimprintedonthespotwherehehadseizeditalongkisswithoutYvettewithdrawingherforehead。
Thensheexclaimedassherose:\"Thatisbetterthananovel。NowletusgotoLaGrenouillere。\"
Theyreachedthatpartoftheislandwhichissetoutasaparkandshadedwithgreattrees。CoupleswerestrollingbeneaththeloftyfoliagealongtheSeine，wheretheboatswereglidingby。