Boche was now quite carried away and declared that they were growing old climbing up this chimney pipe.

Was it ever coming to an end, or did it go right up to heaven?
He tried to frighten the ladies by telling them the structure was shaking.
Coupeau, meanwhile, said nothing.

He was behind Gervaise, with his arm around her waist, and felt that she was everything perfect to him.

When they suddenly emerged again into the daylight, he was just in the act of kissing her on the cheek.
"Well! You're a nice couple; you don't stand on ceremony," said Madame Lorilleux with a scandalized air.
Bibi-the-Smoker pretended to be furious.

He muttered between his teeth.
"You made such a noise together! I wasn't even able to count the steps." But Monsieur Madinier was already up on the platform, pointing out the different monuments.