A wife like that and a country-house is all one can wish for to embellish one's life.

And so Coupeau squinted admiringly at My-Boots.

Why, the lucky dog even had a gold ring on his little finger! Gervaise touched Coupeau on the shoulder just as he was coming out of the little Civet.
"Say, I'm waiting; I'm hungry! I've got an empty stomach which is all I ever get from you." But he silenced her in a capital style, "You're hungry, eh?
Well, eat your fist, and keep the other for to-morrow." He considered it highly improper to do the dramatic in other people's presence.

What, he hadn't worked, and yet the bakers kneaded bread all the same.

Did she take him for a fool, to come and try to frighten him with her stories?
"Do you want me to turn thief ?" she muttered, in a dull voice.
My-Boots stroked his chin in conciliatory fashion.