The Boches, whom he flattered by going to pay his respects in their concierge's lodge, went into ecstasies over his politeness.
As soon as the Lorilleuxs knew who he was, they howled at the impudence of Gervaise in bringing her former lover into her home.

However, one day Lantier went to visit them and made such a good impression when he ordered a necklace for a lady of his acquaintance that they invited him to sit down.

He stayed an hour and they were so charmed by his conversation that they wondered how a man of such distinction had ever lived with Clump-Clump.

Soon Lantier's visits to the Coupeaus were accepted as perfectly natural; he was in the good graces of everyone along the Rue de la Goutte-d'Or.

Goujet was the only one who remained cold.