The blacksmith had doubtless begged her not to ask Gervaise for money; but in spite of herself she again spoke of the debt at the expiration of five minutes.

Oh! She had foreseen long ago what was now happening.

Coupeau was drinking all that the laundry business brought in and dragging his wife down with him.

Her son would never have loaned the money if he had only listened to her.

By now he would have been married, instead of miserably sad with only unhappiness to look forward to for the rest of his life.