Do this for me, it's absolutely necessary." These words only frightened Gervaise the more.

One Saturday evening, however, she gave in.

Coupeau came for her at half-past eight.

She had dressed herself in a black dress, a crape shawl with yellow palms, and a white cap trimmed with a little cheap lace.

During the six weeks she had been working, she had saved the seven francs for the shawl, and the two and a half francs for the cap; the dress was an old one cleaned and made up afresh.
"They're expecting you," said Coupeau to her, as they went round by the Rue des Poissonniers.