Danton and La R?velli?re preach in vain; each is too egoistic and too
worn-out; they let the rein slacken on Cambac?r?s. As to him, he
would rather keep quiet and drag the cart no longer; but there are two
things necessary which he must provide for on pain of death. - "It
will not do," says he in plaintive tones, "to keep on printing the
assignats at night which we want for the next day. If that lasts, ma
foi, we run the risk of being strung up at a lantern. . .Go and find
Hourier-Eloi, as he has charge of the finances, and tell him that we
entreat him to keep us a-going for a fortnight or eighteen days
longer, when the executive Directory will come in and do what it
pleases." " But food - shall we have enough for to-morrow?
"Aha, I don't know - I'll send for our colleague Roux, who will post
us on that point." Roux enters, the official spokesman, the fat,
jovial tamer of the popular dog. "Well, Roux, how do we stand about
supplying Paris with food?" "The supply, citizen President, is just as
abundant as ever, two ounces per head, - at least for most of the
sections." "Go to the devil with your abundant supply! You'll have our
heads off! " All remain silent, for this possible d?nouement sets them
to thinking.
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