According to his own account he had saved the post-office from pillage.
"All right then! That's settled! Stay on there!" said Pierre, after a moment's reflection.

"Make yourself useful." This last sentence revealed the one great fear that possessed the Rougons.

They were afraid that some one might prove too useful, and do more than themselves to save the town.

Still, Pierre saw no serious danger in leaving Vuillet as provisional postmaster; it was even a convenient means of getting rid of him.

Felicite, however, made a sharp gesture of annoyance.
The consultation having ended, the three accomplices mingled with the various groups that filled the drawing-room.