She was on the point of rousing Etienne and of carrying him there in her arms.

Then she again felt that the quiet way in which matters had been arranged was the best.

It would not have been proper to have disturbed the harmony of the end of the dinner.

She returned with the coffee-pot and poured out a glass of coffee for Lantier, who, by the way, did not appear to take any notice of her.
"Now, it's my turn," stuttered Coupeau, in a thick voice.

"You've been keeping the best for the last.