"Why! It's you, Madame Boche! Oh! I've got a lot of work to-day!" "Yes, things don't do themselves, do they ?" The conversation continued between roadway and window.

Madame Boche was concierge of the building where the "Two-Headed Calf" was on the ground floor.

Gervaise had waited for Lantier more than once in the concierge's lodge, so as not to be alone at table with all the men who ate at the restaurant.

Madame Boche was going to a tailor who was late in mending an overcoat for her husband.

She mentioned one of her tenants who had come in with a woman the night before and kept everybody awake past three in the morning.