Page:Germinal - Zola - 1925.djvu/146

GERMINAL that the putter was revolving. And he refused, amused indeed, but without having the least desire for her. She remained planted behind the hedge for some minutes longer, looking at him with large fixed eyes; then she slowly went away, and her face suddenly became serious as if she were overcome by the powerful sun.

In a low voice Étienne was again giving long explanations to Maheu regarding the necessity for the Montsou miners to establish a Provident Fund. Since the Company professes to leave us free, he repeated, what is there to fear? We only have their pensions and they distribute them according to their own taste, from the moment when they hold back no reserve. Well, it will be prudent to form, outside their good pleasure, an association of mutual help on which we can count at least in cases of immediate need.

And he gave details, and discussed the organisation, promising to undertake the labour of it.

"I am willing enough," said Maheu, at last convinced. "But there are the others; get them to make up their minds."

Levaque had won, and they left the skittles to empty their glasses. But Maheu refused to drink a second glass; he would see later on, the day was not yet done. He was thinking about Pierron. Where could he be? No doubt at the Enfant Estaminet. And, having persuaded Étienne and Levaque, the three set out for Montsou, at the same moment as a new band took possession of the skittles at the Avantage.

On the road they had to enter at the Casimir Bar, and then at the Estaminet du Progrès. Comrades called them through the open doors, and there was no way of refusing. Each time it was a glass, two if they were polite enough to return the invitation. They remained there ten minutes, exchanging a few words, and then began again, a little farther on, knowing the beer, with which they could fill themselves without any other discomfort than having to piss it out again in the same measure as clear as rock water. At the Estaminet l'Enfant they came right upon Pierron, who was finishing his second glass, and who in order not to refuse to touch glasses, swallowed a third. They naturally drank theirs also. Now there were four of them, and they set out to see if Zacharie was not at the Estaminet Tison. It was empty, and they called for a glass, in order to wait for [134]