Never would she revolt.

She bent her neck to protect her face and stifled her sobs so as not to alarm the neighbors.

When her father got tired of kicking her, she would rest a bit until she got her strength back and then resume her work.

It was part of her job, being beaten daily.
Gervaise entertained a great friendship for her little neighbor.

She treated her as an equal, as a grown-up woman of experience.