She looked at Gervaise with intense curiosity.
"Is Monsieur Lantier, then, still in bed ?" she asked abruptly.
"Yes, he's asleep," replied Gervaise, who could not avoid blushing.
Madame Boche saw the tears come into her eyes; and, satisfied no doubt, she turned to go, declaring men to be a cursed, lazy set.

As she went off, she called back: "It's this morning you go to the wash-house, isn't it?
I've something to wash, too.

I'll keep you a place next to me, and we can chat together." Then, as if moved with sudden pity, she added: "My poor little thing, you had far better not remain there; you'll take harm.

You look quite blue with cold." Gervaise still obstinately remained at the window during two mortal hours, till eight o'clock.

Now all the shops had opened.