d the bar a
number of barrels with pipes. The room is lighted by small oil lamps
which hang from the ceiling.

The HOST, PROSPER. Enter the citizens LEBRET and GRASSET.

GRASSET (coming down the steps). Come in, Lebret. I know the tap. My
old friend and chief has always got a cask of wine smuggled away
somewhere or other, even when all the rest of Paris is perishing of
thirst.

HOST. Good evening, Grasset. So you show your face again, do you? Away
with Philosophy! Have you a wish to take an engagement with me again?

GRASSET. The idea! Bring some wine rather. I am the guest--you the
host.

HOST. Wine? Where shall I get wine from, Grasset? They've sacked all
the wine-shops in Paris this very night. And I would lieve wager that
you had a hand therein.

GRASSET. Out with the wine. The mob who are coming an hour after us are
bound-- (Listening.) Do you hear anything, Labret?

LEBRET. It is like slight thunder.

GRASSET. Good!--Citizens of Paris-- (To HOST.) You're sure to have
another barrel in reserve for the mob--so out with our wine; my friend
and admirer, the Citizen Labret, tailor of the Rue St. Honore, will pay
for everything.

[Illustration: ARTHUR SCHNITZLER]

LEBRET Certainly, certainly, I will pay.

[HOST hesitates.]

GRASSET. Show him that you have money, Labret.

[LEBRET draws out his purse.]

HOST. Now I will see if I-- (He opens the cock of a barrel and fills
two glasses.) Where do yon come from, Grasset? The Palais-Royal?

GRASSET. For sure--I made a speech there. Ay, my good friend, it is my
turn now. Do you know whom I spoke after?

HOST. Well?

GRASSET. After Camille Desmoulins. Yes, indeed, I dared to do it. And
tell me, Labret, who had the greater applause--Desmoulins or I?

LEBRET. You--without a doubt.

GRASSET. And how did I bear myself?

LEBRET. Splendidly.

GRASSET. Do you hear, Prosper? I placed myself on the table--I looked
like a monument--indeed I did--and all the thousands--five thousands,
ten thousands, assembled round me--just as they had done before round
Camille Desmoulins--and cheered me.

LEBRET. It was a louder cheer,

GRASSET. Indeed it was ... not much louder, but it was louder. And now
they're all moving toward the Bastille ... and I make bold to say they
have followed my call. I swear to you before the evening is out we
shall have it.

HOST. Yes, to be sure, if t