They had been telling her as they came along that six absolutely naked Negroes would serve up Nana's supper, and she now grew anxious about them and asked to see them.
Labordette called her a goose and besought her to be silent.
"And Bordenave ?" asked Fauchery.
"Oh, you may imagine how miserable I am," cried Nana; "he won't be able to join us." "Yes," said Rose Mignon, "his foot caught in a trap door, and he's got a fearful sprain.

If only you could hear him swearing, with his leg tied up and laid out on a chair!" Thereupon everybody mourned over Bordenave's absence.

No one ever gave a good supper without Bordenave.

Ah well, they would try and do without him, and they were already talking about other matters when a burly voice was heard: "What, eh, what?
Is that the way they're going to write my obituary notice ?" There was a shout, and all heads were turned round, for it was indeed Bordenave.

Huge and fiery-faced, he was standing with his stiff leg in the doorway, leaning for support on Simonne Cabiroche's shoulder.
Simonne was for the time being his mistress.