XVIII
THE CROWD
"I say, Bahuchet! come this way; we can see the show explode much better!"
"Just wait, Plumard; before I can pass, this lady in front of me will have to move; and her equilibrium is stable, I tell you! Once planted, she's like the tower of Notre-Dame! there's no way of moving her."
"What's that you say, blackguards, ne'er-do-wells, miserable little Basochians! You come here to insult ladies! you're good for nothing else! The idea of moving for such gentry!"
"Oh! mon Dieu! madame seems to be getting excited! because she has a fine new petticoat with fal-lals on it, and a silver buckle on her belt!—I say, Plumard, I thought there was an edict providing that only strumpets and pickpockets might wear gold or silver on their clothes?"
"Oh, yes! an edict of Henri IV. But perhaps this stout lady is within her rights!"
"Ah! you little villains, if the watch was passing, I'd have you apprehended!"
"Oho! the watch!"
"Aha! apprehended! she must be an attorney's wife."
"Don't push me, or I'll box your ears!"