ten
o'clock
But Lantier 's regular breathing ended by reassuring her . She took the ball of blue and the piece of soap remaining from her last washing , and going up to the little ones who were quietly playing with some old corks in front of the window , she kissed them , and said in a low voice : `` Be very good , do n't make any noise ; papa 's asleep . '' When she left the room , Claude 's and Etienne 's gentle laughter alone disturbed the great silence beneath the blackened ceiling . It was ten o'clock . A ray of sunshine entered by the half open window . On the Boulevard , Gervaise turned to the left , and followed the Rue Neuve de la Goutte-d'Or . As she passed Madame Fauconnier 's shop , she slightly bowed her head .