Mother Coupeau wept bitterly.

All had signed the register, writing their names in big struggling letters with the exception of the bridegroom, who not being able to write, had put his cross.

They each gave four sous for the poor.

When an attendant handed Coupeau the marriage certificate, the latter, prompted by Gervaise who nudged his elbow, handed him another five sous.
It was a fair walk from the mayor's office in the town hall to the church.

The men stopped along the way to have a beer.