nine o'clock
Lantier soon left , using the excuse of informing the family and filing the necessary declaration at the town hall . Really though , he felt the need of fresh air , and so he took his time , smoking cigarettes and enjoying the morning air . When he left Madame Lerat 's house , he went into a dairy place on Les Batignolles for a cup of hot coffee and remained there an hour , thinking things over . Towards nine o'clock the family were all united in the shop , the shutters of which were kept up . Lorilleux did not cry . Moreover he had some pressing work to attend to , and he returned almost directly to his room , after having stalked about with a face put on for the occasion . Madame Lorilleux and Madame Lerat embraced the Coupeaus and wiped their eyes , from which a few tears were falling .