The two of them commenced slapping each other and swore they never would see each other again.

Nowadays Madame Lerat often spent her evenings in the shop, laughing to herself at Clemence's spicy remarks.
Three years passed by.

There were frequent quarrels and reconciliations.
Gervaise did not care a straw for the Lorilleux, the Boches and all the others who were not of her way of thinking.

If they did not like it, they could forget it.

She earned what she wished, that was her principal concern.