Lorilleux mentioned that his corns were aching and he hadn't been able to sleep since three in the morning.

A storm was due.

It had been much too hot for three days in a row.
"Well, maybe it will just be a little mist," Coupeau said several times, standing at the door and anxiously studying the sky.

"Now we have to wait only for my sister.

We'll start as soon as she arrives." Madame Lorilleux was late.