Gervaise felt a chill ascend from her legs to her heart, and she no longer dared to move, whilst old Bru continued: "Trou la la, trou la la, Trou la, trou la, trou la la!" "Very good.

Thank you, my ancient one, that's enough!" said Coupeau.

"Do you know the whole of it?
You shall sing it for us another day when we need something sad." This raised a few laughs.

The old fellow stopped short, glanced round the table with his pale eyes and resumed his look of a meditative animal.

Coupeau called for more wine as the coffee was finished.
Clemence was eating strawberries again.