“I come alone, but in the name of my comrades.”
“Oh!” said Morok, with a sigh of satisfaction, “they consent.”
“They refuse—just as I do!”
“What, the devil! they refuse? Have they no more courage than women?” cried Morok, grinding his teeth with rage.
“Hark ye,” answered Olivier, coolly. “We have received your letters, and seen your agent. We have had proof that he is really connected with great societies, many members of which are known to us.”
“Well! why do you hesitate?”
“First of all, nothing proves that these societies are ready to make a movement.”
“I tell you they are.”
“He—tells you—they are,” said Sleepinbuff, stammering “and I (hic!) affirm it. Forward! March!”
“That’s not enough,” replied Olivier. “Besides, we have reflected upon it. For a week the factory was divided. Even yesterday the discussion was too warm to be pleasant. But this morning Father Simon called to him; we explained ourselves fully before him, and he brought us all to one mind. We mean to wait, and if any disturbance breaks out, we shall see.”