A small cast-iron stove on the marble hearth gave them enough warmth on cold days for only seven sous.

Coupeau had also done his best to decorate the walls.

There was a large engraving showing a marshal of France on horseback with a baton in his hand.

Family photographs were arranged in two rows on top of the chest of drawers on each side of an old holy-water basin in which they kept matches.

Busts of Pascal and Beranger were on top of the wardrobe.