When Etienne had made up his mind to approach him, he stooped down, presented both his cheeks, and then kissed the youngster on the forehead himself.

At this the boy ventured to look at his father; but all on a sudden he burst out sobbing and scampered away like a mad creature with his clothes half falling off him, whilst Coupeau angrily called him a young savage.
"The emotion's too much for him," said Gervaise, pale and agitated herself.
"Oh! he's generally very gentle and nice," exclaimed Coupeau.

"I've brought him up properly, as you'll see.

He'll get used to you.

He must learn to know people.