Part 174 (1/2)
Feuilly, you will see those of the Glaciere, will you not? Combeferre has promised me to go to Picpus. There is a perfect swarm and an excellent one there. Bah.o.r.el will visit the Estrapade. Prouvaire, the masons are growing lukewarm; you will bring us news from the lodge of the Rue de Grenelle-Saint-Honore. Joly will go to Dupuytren's clinical lecture, and feel the pulse of the medical school. Bossuet will take a little turn in the court and talk with the young law licentiates. I will take charge of the Cougourde myself.”
”That arranges everything,” said Courfeyrac.
”No.”
”What else is there?”
”A very important thing.”
”What is that?” asked Courfeyrac.
”The Barriere du Maine,” replied Enjolras.
Enjolras remained for a moment as though absorbed in reflection, then he resumed:--
”At the Barriere du Maine there are marble-workers, painters, and journeymen in the studios of sculptors. They are an enthusiastic family, but liable to cool off. I don't know what has been the matter with them for some time past. They are thinking of something else. They are becoming extinguished. They pa.s.s their time playing dominoes. There is urgent need that some one should go and talk with them a little, but with firmness. They meet at Richefeu's. They are to be found there between twelve and one o'clock. Those ashes must be fanned into a glow.
For that errand I had counted on that abstracted Marius, who is a good fellow on the whole, but he no longer comes to us. I need some one for the Barriere du Maine. I have no one.”
”What about me?” said Grantaire. ”Here am I.”
”You?”
”I.”
”You indoctrinate republicans! you warm up hearts that have grown cold in the name of principle!”
”Why not?”
”Are you good for anything?”
”I have a vague ambition in that direction,” said Grantaire.
”You do not believe in everything.”
”I believe in you.”
”Grantaire will you do me a service?”
”Anything. I'll black your boots.”
”Well, don't meddle with our affairs. Sleep yourself sober from your absinthe.”
”You are an ingrate, Enjolras.”
”You the man to go to the Barriere du Maine! You capable of it!”
”I am capable of descending the Rue de Gres, of crossing the Place Saint-Michel, of sloping through the Rue Monsieur-le-Prince, of taking the Rue de Vaugirard, of pa.s.sing the Carmelites, of turning into the Rue d'a.s.sas, of reaching the Rue du Cherche-Midi, of leaving behind me the Conseil de Guerre, of pacing the Rue des Vielles Tuileries, of striding across the boulevard, of following the Chaussee du Maine, of pa.s.sing the barrier, and entering Richefeu's. I am capable of that. My shoes are capable of that.”
”Do you know anything of those comrades who meet at Richefeu's?”
”Not much. We only address each other as thou.”