Then clean-shaven, his hair nicely combed and always wearing his overcoat, he would take a seat by the window and converse politely with the manners of an educated man.

It was thus that the Coupeaus learnt little by little the details of his life.

During the last eight years he had for a while managed a hat factory; and when they asked him why he had retired from it he merely alluded to the rascality of a partner, a fellow from his native place, a scoundrel who had squandered all the takings with women.

His former position as an employer continued to affect his entire personality, like a title of nobility that he could not abandon.

He was always talking of concluding a magnificent deal with some hatmakers who were going to set him up in business.