The boy had listened to this conversation with frowning brow and clinched teeth.
“Well,” he said to his mother, “if we are stopped, I know what I’ll do.”
“What will you do?” she asked.
“You’ll see.”
“What does this little boy say?” asked the watchmaker.
“I say you are all cowards,” replied the child unhesitatingly.
“Edouard!” exclaimed his mother, “what do you mean?”
“I wish they’d stop the diligence, that I do!” cried the boy, his eye sparkling with determination.
“Come, come, gentlemen, in Heaven’s name, take your places,” called the conductor once more.
“Conductor,” said the doctor, “I presume you have no weapons!”