This made Ledoux furious.
“That’s individualism. The huts belonged to the community.”
“That’s what I say. Now, take this hut of mine; I bought it; I look on it as a sort of pension, a box for an old soldier.”
“There is nothing wrong in that.”
Bibi smiled at them all.
“And the boys are kind to me and drink my wine. Now those people at the café are capitalists, and their capital gave them a start of everybody else. Is not that so, monsieur?”
He turned his face towards Ledoux.
“There’s the infamy!” Ledoux was standing and reaching out with his hands. “Even in a place like this the capitalist has all the advantages. Look—a ruined village, all the poor people coming back! Everybody ought to start on equal terms—but no! Back comes your capitalist and your shopkeeper, and they have their feet half-way up the ladder. All capital should be confiscated.”
“What about the factory?” said a voice.
“It ought to belong to us. Who is putting it in order? Who gives the sweat?”