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Hurried along by the crowd, he endeavoured to extract from the

confused shouting of the throng some more positive information of

the real state of affairs.

"Now the infamous imposition of these rascals is discovered,"

said one; "they said there was neither bread, flour, nor corn.

Now we know things just as they are, and they can no longer

deceive us."

"I tell you that all this answers no purpose," said another; "it

will do no good unless justice be done to us. Bread will be cheap

enough, 'tis true, but they will put poison in it to make the

poor die like flies. They have already said we are too numerous,

I know they have; I heard it from one of my acquaintances, who is

a friend of a relation of a scullion of one of the lords."

"Make way, make way, gentlemen, I beseech you; make way for a

poor father of a family who is carrying bread to five children!"

This was said by one who came staggering under the weight of a

bag of flour.