"Madame Putois is right, it isn't decent.

People will begin to take my house for what it isn't." So tall Clemence dressed herself again, grumbling the while.

"_Mon Dieu!_ There's prudery for you." And she vented her rage on the apprentice, that squint-eyed Augustine who was ironing some stockings and handkerchiefs beside her.

She jostled her and pushed her with her elbow; but Augustine who was of a surly disposition, and slyly spiteful in the way of an animal and a drudge, spat on the back of the other's dress just out of revenge, without being seen.

Gervaise, during this incident, had commenced a cap belonging to Madame Boche, which she intended to take great pains with.