And she remained standing in the middle of the rooms, embarrassed and confused and waiting for the dirty clothes; but after making up the account Madame Goujet had quietly returned to her seat near the window, and resumed the mending of a lace shawl.
"And the dirty things ?" timidly inquired the laundress.
"No, thank you," replied the old woman, "there will be no laundry this week." Gervaise turned pale.

She was no longer to have the washing.

Then she quite lost her head; she was obliged to sit down on a chair, for her legs were giving way under her.

She did not attempt to vindicate herself.

All that she would find to say was: "Is Monsieur Goujet ill ?" Yes, he was not well.