It was the snow, which had at last decided to fall from the smoky sky--fine thick snow, which the breeze swept round and round.

For three days it had been expected and what a splendid moment it chose to appear.
Woken up by the first gusts, Gervaise began to walk faster.

Eager to get home, men were running along, with their shoulders already white.

And as she suddenly saw one who, on the contrary, was coming slowly towards her under the trees, she approached him and again said: "Sir, just listen--" The man has stopped.

But he did not seem to have heard her.