GONCHON. Can't keep them out. [He enters the shop and shouts with the rest of the Crowd. Those outside run here and there. In a moment, swords, sticks, pistols, and hatchets are seen flourishing in the air.]
THE PEOPLE. Easy, now! No disorder, comrades!—Hey, there, run away to school, lad! This is no child's play! This must be serious! We must inspire the tyrants with the sacred terror of the nation. [A bust of Necker is carried out of the shop, hugged close to the breast of the athletic Porter. The Crowd gather around him.] Off with your hats! Here is our defender, our father! Cover him with crêpe! The Patrie is in mourning! [GONCHON and his followers come forth from the shop with the bust of the Due d'Orléans. They assume the same attitudes of solemn dignity as the others. The People pay no attention to them.]
HULIN. What's that?
HOCHE. Our friend Gonchon's patron, the Citizen d'Orléans.
HULIN. I'm going to break in his head, and those of his bearers.
HOCHE [smiling]. No, no, let them be. Let them compromise themselves.
HULIN. Don't you know him?
HOCHE. An Orléans? He who knows one, knows them all. He's a vicious vermin, who has caught hold of the robes of Liberty, and tries to harm her. He needs a slap, and he will get it. Let him alone.
HULIN. But what if he take away our liberty?
HOCHE. That misshapen brat? He'd better take care that she doesn't take away his head! [GONCHON and his followers cover d'Orléans' head with crêpe. A procession then farms, in absurdly solemn order. Silence. All at once, the OLD WOMAN SHOPKEEPER comes in heating a drum. A formidable shout arises.]