"Women never know what they're talking about! Nobody would have me; my opinions are too well-known." Every time he was offered employment he displayed similar irritation.

He did not cease, however, to ask for situations, though he always refused such as were found for him, assigning the most extraordinary reasons.
When pressed upon the point he became terrible.
If Jean were to take up a newspaper after dinner he would at once exclaim: "You'd better go to bed.

You'll be getting up late to-morrow, and that'll be another day lost.

To think of that young rascal coming home with eight francs short last week! However, I've requested his master not give him his money in future; I'll call for it myself." Jean would go to bed to avoid his father's recriminations.

He had but little sympathy with Silvere; politics bored him, and he thought his cousin "cracked." When only the women remained, if they unfortunately started some whispered converse after clearing the table, Macquart would cry: "Now, you idlers! Is there nothing that requires mending?
we're all in rags.