155 4 Les Miserables
Gavroche.
The old man had received the shock, had returned it, and
that in such a terrible fashion, that in a twinkling, the as-
sailant and the assailed had exchanged roles.
‘Here’s a hearty veteran!’ thought Gavroche.
He could not refrain from clapping his hands. But it was
applause wasted. It did not reach the combatants, absorbed
and deafened as they were, each by the other, as their breath
mingled in the struggle.
Silence ensued. Montparnasse ceased his struggles. Gav-
roche indulged in this aside: ‘Can he be dead!’
The goodman had not uttered a word, nor given vent to
a cry. He rose to his feet, and Gavroche heard him say to
Montparnasse:—
‘Get up.’
Montparnasse rose, but the goodman held him fast.
Montparnasse’s attitude was the humiliated and furious at-
titude of the wolf who has been caught by a sheep.
Gavroche looked on and listened, making an effort to
reinforce his eyes with his ears. He was enjoying himself
i m mensely.
He was repaid for his conscientious anxiety in the char-
acter of a spectator. He was able to catch on the wing a
dialogue which borrowed from the darkness an indescrib-
ably tragic accent. The goodman questioned, Montparnasse
replied.
‘How old are you?’
‘Nineteen.’
‘You are strong and healthy. Why do you not work?’