But the maudlin plumber was attracting the attention of the passers by his gestures. He addressed the world at large.
"Would you believe it—that fellow there don't want me to sing!... No! Well, I'm going to!" and he started triumphantly.
"It is the—the—final ... strug-gle!"
A policeman came out of the station with a solemn air. He put his hand on the tipsy plumber's shoulder in paternal fashion.
"Go along with you, my friend!... Come now—pass along—pass along!" But he could not make the plumber budge before he had finished his verse, any more than he could teach him to walk straight on the spur of the moment!... Leaving hold of the gentleman's coat tails, the worthy plumber seized the policeman's arm.'
"Oh, you, you're a brother!... I have education, I have! You're a workman too, I know!..."
As the police inspector pushed him off, trying to make him go on his way, the plumber put his arm round him.
"No! No!... show you're a workman! Sing with me!"
"It is the final ..."
The scandal could no longer be tolerated! Street-corner idlers were gathering, people were laughing at the policeman: strong measures were necessary.