Pagina 483 de 1118

"What was the matter? I will tell you." And beginning to eat, he

at the same time pursued his relation; the company standing on

his right and left, listened with open mouths and ears. Renzo,

without appearing to hear him, was, in fact, the most attentive

of all; and ate his last mouthful very, very slowly. "This

morning, then, those vagabonds who made such a hurly-burly

yesterday, met at the points agreed on, and began to run from

street to street, sending forth cries in order to collect a

crowd. You know it is with such people, as when one sweeps a

house; the more you sweep, the more dirt you have. When they

thought there were people enough, they approached the house of

the superintendant of provision, as if the atrocities they

committed yesterday were not enough, to a gentleman of his

character. Oh! the rascals! And the abuse they bestowed on him!

All invention and falsehood: he is a worthy punctual man; I can

say it, for I know; and I furnish him cloth for his liveries.