Deneulin is awakened at four o’clock in the morning by a deputy shouting to him from outside his window. He tells him half his miners won’t work and that they’re preventing the others from working. Deneulin rises and reluctantly eats some biscuits at the demand of his daughters before heading to the Jean-Bart pit which, though smaller than Le Voreux, has been modernized and well renovated.

Chaval arrives early to convince the miners not to work. He is outraged when Catherine, concerned about her lack of income, refuses to strike. Deneulin arrives and attempts to kindly reason with the strikers, telling them he wants to “sort it out” (301) and that he’s listening to what they have to say. Chaval insists they need five centimes more per tub, like they are asking for at Montsou. Deneulin responds that he isn’t trying to cheat them on timbering like they are at Montsou. He explains that he believes they deserve the extra money but that he will “be ruined” (302) if he gives it to them. He says he conceded to their demands during the last strike and that “for you to make a living I’ve got to make a living first” (302).