PECQUEUX, a stoker in the employment of the Western Railway Company.  He was married to Mere Victoire, the old nurse of Severine Aubry.  His original intention was to qualify as an engine-driver, but time passed without advancement, and later there was an insuperable barrier in his own conduct, for he was given to drinking bouts which converted him for the time into a savage animal, capable of any violence.  His wife lived at Paris, while Philomene Sauvagnat helped him to pass the hours he was compelled to spend at Havre, an arrangement which had the concurrence of Victoire.  Pecqueux had the devotion of a dog for his comrade Jacques Lantier, who concealed his vices and shared with him a love for their engine, “La Lison.”  Philomene, however, excited his jealousy by her attentions to Lantier, and the former friendship of the two comrades became changed to fierce enmity.  At length it happened that one night, as their engine was drawing eighteen trucks of soldiers towards the seat of war in Prussia, Pecqueux in a sudden access of madness attacked Lantier, and, after a fierce struggle on the narrow foot-plate, the two fell off, and were cut in pieces beneath the wheels.  La Bete Humaine.

PEIROTTE, receiver of taxes at Plassans.  He was taken as a hostage by the Republican insurgents and was inadvertently shot by the troops which crushed the rising.  La Fortune des Rougon.

PEQUEUR DES SAULAIES (M.), sub-prefect of Plassans.  He fell into disfavour with the Government on account of the election of a Legitimist Deputy.  For some time he was afraid to compromise himself with Abbe Faujas, but having received a hint from Madame de Condamin, who had influential friends in Paris, he allied himself with the Abbe.  The result was the election of Delangre, who though nominally independent, was actually the Government candidate.  La Conquete de Plassans.

PEQUIGNOT, a friend of the Lorilleux.  He was a furniture dealer.  L’Assommoir.

PERDIGUET, a singer known to Malignon, who promised to take him to the children’s party at Deberle’s house.  Une Page d’Amour.

PERE COLOMBE, owner of the Assommoir, a public-house which was largely the scene of the downfall of Coupeau and Gervaise Macquart, his wife.  L’Assommoir.

PEROU (LA MERE), an old woman employed by Gourd, the concierge, to do cleaning work.  Terrorized by his brutality she agreed to accept less wages.  Pot-Bouille.

PHASIE (AUNT), was the wife of Misard, and the mother of Flore and Louisette.  She was a cousin of the Lantiers and was godmother to Jacques, who was left in her charge when his parents went to Paris.  Her first husband died, leaving her with two daughters, and she married for a second time Misard, a little man, cunning and avaricious, who was five years her senior.  Jacques found them later, living in Normandy at Croix-de-Maufras on the line to Havre, where Misard was signalman, and his wife had charge of the level