oney?" said Bouvard.

"In the rich people's houses. Besides, the government will give orders
for public works."

"And if works are not wanted?"

"They will have them made in advance."

"But wages will fall," urged Pecuchet. "When work happens to be lacking,
it is because there are too many products; and you demand to have them
increased!"

Gorju bit his moustache. "However, with the organisation of labour----"

"Then the government will be the master!"

Some of those around murmured:

"No, no! no more masters!"

Gorju got angry. "No matter! Workers should be supplied with capital, or
rather credit should be established."

"In what way?"

"Ah! I don't know; but credit ought to be established."

"We've had enough of that," said the machinist. "They are only plaguing
us, these farce-actors!"

And he climbed up the steps, declaring that he would break open the
door.

There he was met by Placquevent, with his right knee bent and his fists
clenched:

"Advance one inch further!"

The machinist recoiled. The shouting of the mob reached the chamber. All
arose with the desire to run away. The help from Falaise had not
arrived. They bewailed the count's absence. Marescot kept twisting a
pen; Pere Coulon groaned; Heurtaux lashed himself into a fury to make
them send for the gendarmes.

"Command them to come!" said Foureau.

"I have no authority."

The noise, however, redoubled. The whole green was covered with people,
and they were all staring at the first story of the building when, at
the window in the middle, under the clock, Pecuchet made his appearance.

He had ingeniously gone up by the back-stairs, and, wishing to be like
Lamartine, he began a harangue to the populace:

"Citizens!----"

But his cap, his nose, his frock-coat, his entire personality lacked
distinction.

The man in the knitted waistcoat asked him:

"Are you a workman?"

"No."

"A master, then?"

"Nor that either."

"Well, take yourself off, then."

"Why?" returned Pecuchet, haughtily.

And the next moment he disappeared, in the machinist's clutch, into the
recess of the window.

Gorju came to his assistance. "Let him alone! He's a decent fellow."
They clenched.

The door flew open, and Marescot, on the threshold, announced the
decision of the council. Hurel had suggested his doing so.

The road from Tournebu would have a branch road in the direction of
Angleville and leading towards the chateau of Faverges.

It