Everyone was urging him to give up the lease.

Madame Lerat herself, who had been on very good terms with Lantier and Virginie for some time past, and who was tickled with the idea that they were a trifle smitten with each other, talked of bankruptcy and prison, putting on the most terrified airs.

And suddenly, the zinc-worker, already overdosed with liquor, flew into a passion, his emotion turned to fury.
"Listen," cried he, poking his nose in his wife's face; "I intend that you shall listen to me! Your confounded head will always have its own way.

But, this time, I intend to have mine, I warn you!" "Ah! well," said Lantier, "one never yet brought her to reason by fair words; it wants a mallet to drive it into her head." For a time they both went on at her.

Meanwhile, the Brie was quickly disappearing and the wine bottles were pouring like fountains.