He had the good fortune to find, at the bottom of a cupboard, an old yellowish velveteen jacket, threadbare and patched, which had belonged to Macquart.

In this strange attire he walked about the town, relating his story to everyone, and demanding justice.
The people whom he went to consult received him with a contempt which made him shed tears of rage.

Provincial folks are inexorable towards fallen families.

In the general opinion it was only natural that the Rougon-Macquarts should seek to devour each other; the spectators, instead of separating them, were more inclined to urge them on.

Pierre, however, was at that time already beginning to purify himself of his early stains.