Goujet laughed and explained to her that everybody called him "Little Zouzou" because he had his hair cut short like that of a Zouave.

While they were talking together Etienne stopped working the bellows and the flame of the forge dwindled to a rosy glow amid the gathering darkness.

Touched by the presence of this smiling young woman, the blacksmith stood gazing at her.
Then, as neither continued speaking, he seemed to recollect and broke the silence: "Excuse me, Madame Gervaise, I've something that has to be finished.
You'll stay, won't you?
You're not in anybody's way." She remained.

Etienne returned to the bellows.

The forge was soon ablaze again with a cloud of sparks; the more so as the youngster, wanting to show his mother what he could do, was making the bellows blow a regular hurricane.