"Etienne; no I don't know him." An alcoholic reek like that from old brandy casks issued from his mouth.
Meeting a woman in this dark corner seemed to be giving the fellow ideas, and so Gervaise drew back saying: "But yet it's here that Monsieur Goujet works, isn't it ?" "Ah! Goujet, yes!" said the workman; "I know Goujet! If you come for Goujet, go right to the end." And turning round he called out at the top of his voice, which had a sound of cracked brass: "I say Golden-Mug, here's a lady wants you!" But a clanging of iron drowned the cry! Gervaise went to the end.

She reached a door and stretching out her neck looked in.

At first she could distinguish nothing.

The forge had died down, but there was still a little glow which held back the advancing shadows from its corner.

Great shadows seemed to float in the air.