Section 7 Summary

This section begins with the phrase, "The plain truth, I may as well admit it..."

Bardamu is haphazardly united with some old acquaintances. Needing money, he and a former co-worker named Voireuse go to visit their old employer, a jeweler named Puta. Puta has, says Bardamu, a bit of the artistic temperament to him. Puta enjoys "contemplating a shapely thigh." Mrs. Puta is "at one with the cash desk" and cares only for the business. The couple complains of the hardships of the war, the difficulties of driving at night and people's children dying (they have none), but they then stop complaining and remind themselves that all is for the good of the country. The Putas give the soldiers a paltry sum, five francs, before sending them on their way.

Voireuse has a better idea of who to hit up for money. Voireuse...