“Progress! I will explain to you what I mean by that,” cried Giguet, exasperated by the interruption.
“It is the frontier of the Rhine for France,” put in the colonel, “and the destruction of the treaties of 1815.”
“It is selling wheat dear and keeping bread cheap,” cried Achille Pigoult sarcastically, thinking that he made a joke, but actually expressing one of the delusions that reign in France.
“It is the happiness of all, obtained by the triumph of humanitarian doctrines,” continued Simon.
“What did I tell you?” said Achille to his neighbors.
“Hush! silence! let us listen!” said various voices.
“Messieurs,” said the stout Mollot, smiling, “the debate is beginning; give your attention to the orator; and let him explain himself.”
“In all transitional epochs, Messieurs,” continued Simon, gravely, “and we are now in such an epoch—”
“Ba-a-a! ba-a-a!” bleated a friend of Achille Pigoult, who possessed the faculty (precious at elections) of ventriloquism.
A roar of laughter came from the whole assembly, who were Champagnards before all else. Simon Giguet folded his arms and waited till the tumult subsided.