five o'clock
Squint-eyed Augustine was sitting on a low bench solemnly basting the goose with a long-handled spoon . Gervaise was busy with the peas with bacon . Mother Coupeau , kept spinning around , a bit confused , waiting for the right time to begin reheating the pork and the veal . Towards five o'clock the guests began to arrive . First of all came the two workwomen , Clemence and Madame Putois , both in their Sunday best , the former in blue , the latter in black ; Clemence carried a geranium , Madame Putois a heliotrope , and Gervaise , whose hands were just then smothered with flour , had to kiss each of them on both cheeks with her arms behind her back . Then following close upon their heels entered Virginie dressed like a lady in a printed muslin costume with a sash and a bonnet though she had only a few steps to come . She brought a pot of red carnations .