Ah! it was certain Gervaise was no longer moved as she used to be when she saw Coupeau at the edge of a roof forty or fifty feet above the pavement.

She would not have pushed him off herself, but if he had fallen accidentally, in truth it would have freed the earth of one who was of but little account.

The days when they were more especially at enmity she would ask him why he didn't come back on a stretcher.

She was awaiting it.

It would be her good luck they were bringing back to her.