Gavroche had stopped, and was listening.
"Aged dames," he said, "what right have you to talk politics?"
A broadside, composed of a quadruple yell, assailed him.
"There's another of the villains."
"What's that he has in his hand,—a pistol?"
"Just think, that rogue of a boy!"
"They are never quiet unless when they are overthrowing the authorities."
Gavroche disdainfully limited his reprisals to lifting the tip of his nose with his thumb, and opening his hand to the full extent. The rag-picker exclaimed,—
"The barefooted scamp!"
The one who answered to the name of Mame Patagon struck her hands together with scandal.