Chapter V

As it happened, the Boches had moved out of the Rue des Poissonniers at the end of the April quarter and taken over the concierge’s lodge in the big tenement building in the Rue de la Goutte-d’Or. Funny how things turn out! One of Gervaise’s worries, after living so peacefully without a concierge in her little place in the Rue Neuve, was that she’d be back in the power of some nasty creature who’d make a fuss about a drop of water she might spill or a door she might close too loudly in the evening. Concierges are such a vile breed! But with the Boches it should be pleasant enough. They knew one another and always got on. They’d be like family.