A pastry-cook had just brought a meat pie, for the laundress was too upset to attend to any cooking.

As they were taking their seats, Boche came to say that Monsieur Marescot asked to be admitted, and the landlord appeared, looking very grave, and wearing a broad decoration on his frock-coat.

He bowed in silence and went straight to the little room, where he knelt down.

All the family, leaving the table, stood up, greatly impressed.

Monsieur Marescot, having finished his devotions, passed into the shop and said to the Coupeaus: "I have come for the two quarters' rent that's overdue.