I'm not sure what this means!
"What folly! to bathe at such an hour in such heat!" exclaimed Mr. Pontellier. He himself had taken a plunge at daylight. That was why the morning seemed long to him.
"You are burnt beyond recognition," he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage. (Excerpt from The Awakening by Kate Chopin)
In a modern translation, the phrase "What folly! To bathe at such an hour in such heat!" might be replaced with, "How ridiculous to...

Question

I'm not sure what this means!
"What folly! to bathe at such an hour in such heat!" exclaimed Mr. Pontellier. He himself had taken a plunge at daylight. That was why the morning seemed long to him. 
"You are burnt beyond recognition," he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage. (Excerpt from The Awakening by Kate Chopin) 
In a modern translation, the phrase "What folly! To bathe at such an hour in such heat!" might be replaced with, "How ridiculous to...

anonymous · Answer

a. get so sun burnt in the morning!"
b. swim so early in the morning!" 
c.  swim so late in this heat!"
d.  take a bath so late in the day!"