Pagina 688 di 896

It was an ordinance of the Republic One and Indivisible of

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death, that on the door or

doorpost of every house, the name of every inmate must be legibly

inscribed in letters of a certain size, at a certain convenient

height from the ground. Mr. Jerry Cruncher's name, therefore,

duly embellished the doorpost down below; and, as the afternoon

shadows deepened, the owner of that name himself appeared, from

overlooking a painter whom Doctor Manette had employed to add to

the list the name of Charles Evremonde, called Darnay.

In the universal fear and distrust that darkened the time, all

the usual harmless ways of life were changed. In the Doctor's

little household, as in very many others, the articles of daily

consumption that were wanted were purchased every evening, in

small quantities and at various small shops. To avoid attracting

notice, and to give as little occasion as possible for talk and

envy, was the general desire.