At last, towards nine o'clock, her stomach empty, her face purple with rage, she decided to go down and look for Coupeau.
"Is it your husband you want ?" called Madame Boche, on catching sight of Gervaise looking very glum.

"He's at Pere Colombe's.

Boche has just been having some cherry brandy with him." Gervaise uttered her thanks and stalked stiffly along the pavement with the determination of flying at Coupeau's eyes.

A fine rain was falling which made the walk more unpleasant still.

But when she reached l'Assommoir, the fear of receiving the drubbing herself if she badgered her old man suddenly calmed her and made her prudent.