twelve o'clock
They refused to listen to any explanation , but maintained they were going to call in the gentleman outside to rekindle Madame Lerat 's fire . However , the gentleman over the way had gone off . The room grew calmer and the work was carried on in the sultry heat . When twelve o'clock struck -- meal-time -- they all shook themselves . Nana , who had hastened to the window again , volunteered to do the errands if they liked . And Leonie ordered two sous worth of shrimps , Augustine a screw of fried potatoes , Lisa a bunch of radishes , Sophie a sausage . Then as Nana was doing down the stairs , Madame Lerat , who found her partiality for the window that morning rather curious , overtook her with her long legs .