in the direction of Falaise. The workmen of Acqueville, Liffard,
Pierre-Pont, and Saint-Remy were marching on Chavignolles. The sheds
were shut up. The municipal council assembled and passed a resolution,
to prevent catastrophes, that no resistance should be offered. The
gendarmes were kept in, and orders were given to them not to show
themselves. Soon was heard, as it were, the rumbling of a storm. Then
the song of the Girondists shook the windows, and men, arm in arm,
passed along the road from Caen, dusty, sweating, in rags. They filled
up the entire space in front of the council chamber, and a great
hurly-burly arose.

Gorju and two of his comrades entered the chamber. One of them was lean
and wretched-looking, with a knitted waistcoat, the ribbons of which
were hanging down; the other, black as coal--a machinist, no doubt--with
hair like a brush, thick eyebrows, and old list shoes. Gorju, like a
hussar, wore his waistcoat slung over his shoulder.

All three remained standing, and the councillors, seated round the
table, which was covered with a blue cloth, gazed at their faces, pale
from privation.

"Citizens!" said Gorju, "we want work."

The mayor trembled. He could not find his voice.

Marescot replied from the place where he sat that the council would
consider the matter directly; and when the comrades had gone out they
discussed several suggestions.

The first was to have stones drawn.

In order to utilise the stones, Girbal proposed a road from Angleville
to Tournebu.

That from Bayeux had positively rendered the same service.

They could clear out the pond! This was not sufficient as a public work.
Or rather, dig a second pond! But in what place?

Langlois' advice was to construct an embankment along the Mortins as a
protection against an inundation. It would be better, Beljambe thought,
to clear away the heather.

It was impossible to arrive at any conclusion. To appease the crowd,
Coulon went down over the peristyle and announced that they were
preparing charity workshops.

"Charity! Thanks!" cried Gorju. "Down with the aristocrats! We want the
right to work!"

It was the question of the time. He made use of it as a source of
popularity. He was applauded.

In turning round he elbowed Bouvard, whom Pecuchet had dragged to the
spot, and they entered into conversation. Nothing could keep them back;
the municipal building was surrounded; the council could not escape.

"Where shall you get m