In order to console herself, she would buy a pint of aniseed, and drink little glassfuls of it with her daughter of an evening, after Antoine had gone back to the cafe.

That was their dissipation.

Jean went to bed, while the two women remained at the table, listening attentively in order to remove the bottle and glasses at the first sound.
When Macquart was late, they often became intoxicated by the many "nips" they thus thoughtlessly imbibed.

Stupefied and gazing at each other with vague smiles, this mother and daughter would end by stuttering.
Red patches appeared on Gervaise's cheeks; her delicate doll-like face assumed a look of maudlin beatitude.

Nothing could be more heart-rending than to see this wretched, pale child, aglow with drink and wearing the idiotic smile of a confirmed sot about her moist lips.