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"The wives and mothers we have been used to see, since we were as

little as this child, and much less, have not been greatly

considered? We have known their husbands and fathers laid in

prison and kept from them, often enough? All our lives, we have

seen our sister-women suffer, in themselves and in their

children, poverty, nakedness, hunger, thirst, sickness, misery,

oppression and neglect of all kinds?"

"We have seen nothing else," returned The Vengeance.

"We have borne this a long time," said Madame Defarge, turning

her eyes again upon Lucie. "Judge you! Is it likely that the

trouble of one wife and mother would be much to us now?"

She resumed her knitting and went out. The Vengeance followed.

Defarge went last, and closed the door.

"Courage, my dear Lucie," said Mr. Lorry, as he raised her.

"Courage, courage! So far all goes well with us--much, much

better than it has of late gone with many poor souls. Cheer up,

and have a thankful heart."