“Have I not been told, though,” asked the burgomaster, “that the tower of the Oudenarde gate is likely to tumble down?”
“Ah!” replied the counsellor; “really, I should not be astonished if it fell on some passer-by any day.”
“Oh! before such a misfortune happens I hope we shall have come to a decision on the subject of this tower.”
“I hope so, Van Tricasse.”
“There are more pressing matters to decide.”
“No doubt; the question of the leather-market, for instance.”
“What, is it still burning?”
“Still burning, and has been for the last three weeks.”
“Have we not decided in council to let it burn?”
“Yes, Van Tricasse—on your motion.”