Suddenly，atthebottomofthebowlappearedalittlebrownspot，nobiggerthanatinyseed.However，itwasmoving.Itwasaflea！Firsttherewerecriesofastonishmentandthenshoutsoflaughter.Aflea！
Well，thatwasagoodjoke，amightygoodone！Caniveauwasslappinghisthigh，CesaireHorlavillesnappedhiswhip，thepriestlaughedlikeabrayingdonkey，theteachercackledasthoughheweresneezing，andthetwowomenweregivinglittlescreamsofjoy，likethecluckingofhens.
Belhommehadseatedhimselfonthetableandhadtakenthebowlbetweenhisknees;hewasobserving，withseriousattentionandavengefulangerinhiseye，theconqueredinsectwhichwastwistingroundinthewater.
Hegrunted，\"Yourottenlittlebeast！\"andhespatonit.
Thedriver，wildwithjoy，keptrepeating：\"Aflea，aflea，ah！thereyouare，damnedlittleflea，damnedlittleflea，damnedlittleflea！\"Thenhavingcalmeddownalittle，hecried：\"Well，backtothecoach！We’velostenoughtime.\"