Chapter 3, Part 2 Summary

While Claude and Pierre are visiting in the studio of the sculptors, Mahoudeau and Chaîne, Zola introduces another character, Jory, who comes in making rude comments about the wife of the herbalist next door. Mahoudeau appears embarrassed by his remarks, hinting that there is something going on between him and the homely woman. Jory recognizes he has put his foot in his mouth and tries to recover by asking, "Who ever said no to a woman?" Chaîne, frustrated with his sculpturing, has turned to painting and stays in the background working on a picture of the old stove in the studio. Claude, always trying to encourage, finds some value in the painting. Jory has become an art critic and recently stirred up a scandal by praising one of Claude's paintings, proclaiming him as the leader of a new school...