The huge goose was being cooked on a spit.

Squint-eyed Augustine was sitting on a low bench solemnly basting the goose with a long-handled spoon.

Gervaise was busy with the peas with bacon.

Mother Coupeau, kept spinning around, a bit confused, waiting for the right time to begin reheating the pork and the veal.
Towards five o'clock the guests began to arrive.

First of all came the two workwomen, Clemence and Madame Putois, both in their Sunday best, the former in blue, the latter in black; Clemence carried a geranium, Madame Putois a heliotrope, and Gervaise, whose hands were just then smothered with flour, had to kiss each of them on both cheeks with her arms behind her back.