A few men sat in groups together, talking in undertones, but the greater number threw themselves down on the rushes, either to sleep or to think alone.

Gervaise was struck by the manner in which most of them lay, without making the slightest movement, so long as there was light to enable him to make out their figures.

He himself addressed two or three of them, as they lay with their eyes wide open, asking questions with reference to the work; but in no case did he receive any reply.

The men seemed altogether unconscious of being addressed, being absorbed in the thought of their far distant homes and families which they might never see again.
Gervaise walked a few times up and down the room, and as he approached a silence fell each time upon the groups of men talking together.

More than once a figure rose soon afterwards from the ground, and, as he came along again, asked him a few questions about himself.