"
"Done nothing! but, indeed, you have, Michael. Have you not made pikes
for us, and have not your sons fought for us like brave soldiers?"
"I have done the work for which I was paid, as a good smith should; and
as for the boys, they took their own way. No, Jacques Chapeau, I have
taken no part in your battles. I have neither been for nor against you.
As for King or Republic, it was all one to me; let them who understand
such things settle that. For fifty years I have earned my bread, and
paid what I owed; and now I am driven out from my home like a fox from
its hole. Why should I say Vive le Roi! Look at that girl there, with
her bare feet bleeding from the sharp stones, and tell me, why should
I say Vive le Roi!"
Chapeau was flabbergasted, for all this was rank treason to him; and yet
he didn't want to quarrel with the smith; so he sat still and gazed into
his face, as though he were struck dumb with astonishment.
"I remember when you came to my cottage," continued the old man, "and
told me that the wars were all over, that the King was coming to
Durbelliere, and that you would marry Annot, and make a fine lady of
her.
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