Summary

Chapters 12 and 13 mark the end for both Gervaise and Coupeau. They have no money left, having pawned most of their belongings, including their bed, in order to have enough for survival. One evening, while Coupeau is out under the pretense of work, Gervaise begins to starve; she has no money to her name, and has racked up so much debt from all of the shops near her small room (and quite a distance away, as well), and can thus not even ask for a loaf bread on credit.

In dire need of food, and out of options, Gervaise goes down the sixth floor hall to the apartment belonging to the Lorilleux, whom she intends to ask for money. She first pretends that she is there looking for Coupeau, but slowly it comes out that she is looking for money. The Lorilleux claim they...