I've made a mistake," stammered he.

"I was told it was for you." He had already taken up the sack again, and the laundress was obliged to call to him: "Leave it alone, it's for here." "Ah! _Mon Dieu!_ Now I understand!" resumed he, slapping his thigh.
"It's for the old lady." Gervaise had turned quite pale.

Old Bazouge had brought the coffin for her.

By way of apology, he tried to be gallant, and continued: "I'm not to blame, am I?
It was said yesterday that someone on the ground floor had passed away.

Then I thought--you know, in our business, these things enter by one ear and go out by the other.