"Your name, my friend?" he was asking.
"Bertrand Manseau. A good Republican."
"Ça, ça. And you come from Kérnak?"
The man spat and cursed the name before acquiescing.
"It is the place of aristos?"
"Yes, citoyen. But not for long I hope."
His cunning little black eyes blinked with satisfaction.
"All in good time, all in good time. You know Varenac?"
"Si. How could it be otherwise? I have lived between Kérnak and Varenac all my life."
"And what have you to say of Varenac?"