They surrounded the Dutch oven, and watched with profound interest as Gervaise and mother Coupeau tried to pull the bird out.

Then a clamor arose, in the midst of which one could distinguish the shrill voices and the joyful leaps of the children.

And there was a triumphal entry.

Gervaise carried the goose, her arms stiff, and her perspiring face expanded in one broad silent laugh; the women walked behind her, laughing in the same way; whilst Nana, right at the end, raised herself up to see, her eyes open to their full extent.

When the enormous golden goose, streaming with gravy, was on the table, they did not attack it at once.