He pressed it in his own and they both sat quietly for a time.
"I know your mother doesn't like me," Gervaise said in a low voice.
"Don't bother to deny it.

We owe you so much money." He squeezed her hand tightly.

He didn't want to talk of money.

Finally he said: "I've been thinking of something for a long time.

You are not happy where you are.