Coupeau had the howl of a beast with a crushed paw.

Strike up, music! Gentlemen, choose your partners! "_Mon Dieu!_ what is the matter with him?
What is the matter with him ?" repeated Gervaise, seized with fear.
A house surgeon, a big fair fellow with a rosy countenance, and wearing a white apron, was quietly sitting taking notes.

The case was a curious one; the doctor did not leave the patient.
"Stay a while if you like," said he to the laundress; "but keep quiet.
Try and speak to him, he will not recognise you." Coupeau indeed did not even appear to see his wife.

She had only had a bad view of him on entering, he was wriggling about so much.

When she looked him full in the face, she stood aghast.