Little by little, however, the class became anxious : the objects which were passed round had one by one come to Meaulnes' hands, but absent-mindedly and without looking at them, he carelessly placed them by his side.
Peu à peu cependant toute la classe s’inquiéta : les objets, qu’on « faisait passer » à mesure, arrivaient l’un après l’autre dans les mains du grand Meaulnes qui, négligemment, sans les regarder, les posait auprès de lui.