GERMINAL
are two Sundays and four rest days to be taken off; that makes you nine days of work." Maheu followed this calculation in a low voice: nine days gave him about thirty francs, eighteen to Catherine, nine to Jeanlin. As to Father Bonnemort, he only had three days. No matter, by adding the ninety francs of Zacharie and the two mates that would surely make more.
"And don't forget the fines," added the clerk. "Twenty francs for fines for defective timbering."
The pikeman made a gesture of despair. Twenty francs of fines, four days of rest! That made out the account. To think that he had once brought back a fortnight's pay of even a hundred and fifty francs when Father Bonnemort was working and Zacharie was not yet in the household!
"Well, are you going to take it?" cried the cashier impatiently. "You can see there's someone else waiting. If you don't want it, say so."
As Maheu decided to pick up the money with his large trembling hand the clerk stopped him.
"Wait: I have your name here. Toussaint Maheu, is it not? The general secretary wished to speak to you. Go in, he is alone."
The stunned workman found himself in an office furnished with old mahogany, upholstered with faded green rep. And he listened for five minutes to the general secretary, a tall sallow gentleman, who spoke to him over the papers of his bureau without rising. But the buzzing in his ears prevented him from hearing. He understood vaguely that the question of his father's retirement would be taken into consideration with reference to the pension of a hundred and fifty francs, fifty years of age and forty years' service. Then it seemed to him that the secretary's voice became harder. There was a reprimand: he was accused of occupying himself with politics; an allusion was made to his lodger and the Provident Fund; finally, he was advised not to compromise himself in these follies, he, who was one of the best workmen in the mine. He wished to protest, but could only pronounce words at random, twisting his cap between his feverish fingers, and he retired, stuttering:
"Certainly, sir—I can assure you, sir—."
Outside, when he had found Étienne who was waiting for him, he broke out:
[161]
