eight o’clock
He also caught sight of Madame Lecoeur and Mademoiselle Saget passing along one of the covered ways , and looking less sallow than usual -- indeed , almost rosy -- as they laughed like bosom friends over some amusing story . In the fish market , old Madame Mehudin , who had returned to her stall , was slapping her fish , abusing customers , and snubbing the new inspector , a presumptuous young man whom she had sworn to spank ; while Claire , seemingly more languid and indolent than ever , extended her hands , blue from immersion in the water of her tanks , to gather together a great heap of edible snails , shimmering with silvery slime . In the tripe market Auguste and Augustine , with the foolish expression of newly-married people , had just been purchasing some pigs ' trotters , and were starting off in a trap for their pork shop at Montrouge . Then , as it was now eight o'clock and already quite warm , Claude , on again coming to the Rue Rambuteau , perceived Muche and Pauline playing at horses . Muche was crawling along on all-fours , while Pauline sat on his back , and clung to his hair to keep herself from falling . However , a moving shadow which fell from the eaves of the market roof made Claude look up ; and he then espied Cadine and Marjolin aloft , kissing and warming themselves in the sunshine , parading their loves before the whole neighbourhood like a pair of light-hearted animals . Claude shook his fist at them .