But at one o'clock the party was still standing drinks.

Then Coupeau, with a bored gesture placed the tools back again under the seat.

They were in his way; he could not get near the counter without stumbling against them.

It was too absurd; he would go to Bourguignon's on the morrow.

The other four, who were quarrelling about the question of salaries, were not at all surprised when the zinc-worker, without any explanation, proposed a little stroll on the Boulevard, just to stretch their legs.