She commented on the customers' misfortunes and their bedroom adventures.

She had a wash-house joke for every rip or stain that passed through her hands.
Augustine pretended that she didn't understand, but her ears were wide open.

Madame Putois compressed her lips, thinking it a disgrace to say such things in front of Coupeau.

It's not a man's business to have anything to do with dirty linen.

It's just not done among decent people.
Gervaise, serious and her mind fully occupied with what she was about, did not seem to notice.