Then she put it in a little copper saucepan with a long handle, full of lye-water, and placed it over the fire of the forge.

Gervaise, again pushed forward by Coupeau, had to follow this last operation.

When the chain was thoroughly cleansed, it appeared a dull red color.

It was finished, and ready to be delivered.
"They're always delivered like that, in their rough state," the zinc-worker explained.

"The polishers rub them afterwards with cloths." Gervaise felt her courage failing her.