No, the prices weren't high.

Some laundresses charged a sou more for each item.
Gervaise was now calling out the soiled clothes, as she packed them in her basket, for Madame Goujet to list.

Then she lingered on, embarrassed by a request which she wished to make.
"Madame Goujet," she said at length, "if it does not inconvenience you, I would like to take the money for the month's washing." It so happened that that month was a very heavy one, the account they had made up together amounting to ten francs, seven sous.

Madame Goujet looked at her a moment in a serious manner, then she replied: "My child, it shall be as you wish.

I will not refuse you the money as you are in need of it.