The women now left their work.

The mistress always poured out the coffee herself after putting two lumps of sugar into each glass.
It was the moment that they all looked forward to.

On this occasion, as each one took her glass and squatted down on a little stool in front of the stove, the shop-door opened.

Virginie entered, shivering all over.
"Ah, my children," said she, "it cuts you in two! I can no longer feel my ears.

The cold is something awful!" "Why, it's Madame Poisson!" exclaimed Gervaise.