noon
Gervaise and Coupeau , before the altar , were embarrassed , not knowing when they should kneel or rise or seat themselves , expecting some indication from the attendant . The witnesses , not knowing what was proper , remained standing during the ceremony . Mother Coupeau was weeping again and shedding her tears into the missal she had borrowed from a neighbor . Meanwhile , the noon chimes had sounded and the church began to fill with noise from the shuffling feet of sacristans and the clatter of chairs being put back in place . The high altar was apparently being prepared for some special ceremony . Thus , in the depths of this obscure chapel , amid the floating dust , the surly priest placed his withered hands on the bared heads of Gervaise and Coupeau , blessing their union amid a hubbub like that of moving day . The wedding party signed another registry , this time in the sacristy , and then found themselves out in the bright sunlight before the church doors where they stood for a moment , breathless and confused from having been carried along at such a break-neck speed .