In vain Bataille, the doyen of the mine, would rub him with his ribs in his friendly way, softly biting his neck to impart to him a little of the resignation gained in his ten years beneath the earth.
Vainement, Bataille, le doyen de la mine, le frottait amicalement de ses côtes, lui mordillait le cou, pour lui donner un peu de la résignation de ses dix années de fond.