four o'clock
Coupeau , always amused by the infrequent pedestrians having to jump over the continuous streams of soapy water , said it reminded him of a country town where his uncle had taken him when he was five years old . Gervaise 's greatest joy was a tree growing in the courtyard to the left of their window , an acacia that stretched out a single branch and yet , with its meager foliage , lent charm to the entire street . It was on the last day of April that Gervaise was confined . The pains came on in the afternoon , towards four o'clock , as she was ironing a pair of curtains at Madame Fauconnier 's . She would not go home at once , but remained there wriggling about on a chair , and continuing her ironing every time the pain allowed her to do so ; the curtains were wanted quickly and she obstinately made a point of finishing them . Besides , perhaps after all it was only a colic ; it would never do to be frightened by a bit of a stomach-ache . But as she was talking of starting on some shirts , she became quite pale .