That night Coupeau went on a spree.

Next day, Gervaise received ten francs from her son Etienne, who was a mechanic on some railway.

The youngster sent her a few francs from time to time, knowing that they were not very well off at home.

She made some soup, and ate it all alone, for that scoundrel Coupeau did not return on the morrow.

On Monday he was still absent, and on Tuesday also.