She bungled her work to such an extent that the mistress had reduced her wages to two francs a day, the price paid to the clumsiest bungler.

But she was still proud, reminding everyone of her former status as boss of her own shop.

When Madame Fauconnier hired Madame Putois, Gervaise was so annoyed at having to work beside her former employee that she stayed away for two weeks.
As for Coupeau, he did perhaps work, but in that case he certainly made a present of his labor to the Government, for since the time he returned from Etampes Gervaise had never seen the color of his money.

She no longer looked in his hands when he came home on paydays.

He arrived swinging his arms, his pockets empty, and often without his handkerchief; well, yes, he had lost his rag, or else some rascally comrade had sneaked it.