"And what business have you to interfere, I should like to know, Citizen Sergeant?" said Simon, astonished.
"I interfere, as it becomes every man of feeling to do. It is unworthy of a man to see a child beaten, and to suffer him to be beaten."
"Bah! the son of a tyrant."
"He is a child; and the child has not participated in the crimes of the father. The child is not culpable, and, consequently, ought not to be punished."
"And I tell you he was placed with me to do what I choose with him. I choose that he shall sing 'Madame Veto,' and sing it he shall."
"Contemptible wretch!" said Lorin. "'Madame Veto' is mother to this child. Would you yourself like your child to be made to sing that you were one of the canaille?"
"Me!" cried Simon. "Vile aristocrat of a sergeant!"
"No names," said Lorin. "I am not Capet; and they shall not make me sing by force."
"I will have you arrested, vile ci-devant!"
"You!" said Lorin; "you have me arrested! you had better try to arrest a Thermopyle."