This tricky little girl of ten would walk before him like a lady, swinging herself about and casting side glances at him, her eyes already full of vice.
He had ended by undertaking her education: he taught her to dance and to talk patois.
A year passed thus.

In the neighborhood it was thought that Lantier had a private income, for this was the only way to account for the Coupeaus' grand style of living.

No doubt Gervaise continued to earn money; but now that she had to support two men in doing nothing, the shop certainly could not suffice; more especially as the shop no longer had so good a reputation, customers were leaving and the workwomen were tippling from morning till night.

The truth was that Lantier paid nothing, neither for rent nor board.

During the first months he had paid sums on account, then he had contented himself with speaking of a large amount he was going to receive, with which later on he would pay off everything in a lump sum.