The customers consisted of female workpeople living in the neighbourhood.

Every five minutes a young girl came in to purchase a few sous worth of goods.

Therese served the people with words that were ever the same, with a smile that appeared mechanically on her lisp.

Madame Raquin displayed a more unbending, a more gossipy disposition, and, to tell the truth, it was she who attracted and retained the customers.
For three years, days followed days and resembled one another.

Camille did not once absent himself from his office.