She especially could not forgive the zinc-worker for having refused to learn to read during his convalescence.

The blacksmith had offered to teach him, but the other had sent him to the right about, saying that learning made people get thin.

This had almost caused a quarrel between the two workmen; each went his own way.

Madame Goujet, however, seeing her big boy's beseeching glances, behaved very kindly to Gervaise.

It was settled that they would lend their neighbors five hundred francs; the latter were to repay the amount by installments of twenty francs a month; it would last as long as it lasted.
"I say, the blacksmith's sweet on you," exclaimed Coupeau, laughing, when he heard what had taken place.