I could use one." With these words ringing in her ears, Gervaise walked softly away.

But when she found herself alone in the midst of the crowd, she slackened her pace.

She was quite resolute.

Between thieving and the other, well she preferred the other; for at all events she wouldn't harm any one.
No doubt it wasn't proper.

But what was proper and what was improper was sorely muddled together in her brain.