Denise is still dazed after her sudden dismissal. She has nowhere to stay, so she wanders the streets until she spots Bourras’s umbrella store, where a “Room to Let” sign is hanging in the window. Bourras reluctantly shows her the tiny room. Denise rents the room and must bring Pepe with her since she cannot afford to pay for his room too. Denise misses meals so that Pepe can eat. Jean appears and asks for more money, adding to her anxieties. Denise resolves that she will never sell her body for money. She sees Hutin and Mouret pass often, as well as Pauline and Henri Deloche, but she does not allow them to know where she is living.

When Pepe falls ill, Bourras feels pity. He brings them soup and then offers Denise work fixing umbrellas. Bourras allows Pepe to accompany Denise to work since he loves children. Pepe likes the animals Bourras carves. He plays with them while Bourras repeats that he will never close his store, no matter how much the big shops offer him or pressure him. He enjoys hearing Denise’s stories about how badly she was treated at The Ladies’ Paradise.