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death-rattle.
She resumed:—
‘I have only to cry out, and people will come, and then
slap, bang! There are six of you; I represent the whole
world.’
Thenardier made a movement towards her.
‘Don’t approach!’ she cried.
He halted, and said gently:—
‘Well, no; I won’t approach, but don’t speak so loud. So
you intend to hinder us in our work, my daughter? But we
must earn our living all the same. Have you no longer any
kind feeling for your father?’
‘You bother me,’ said Eponine.
‘But we must live, we must eat—‘
‘Burst!’
So saying, she seated herself on the underpinning of the
fence and hummed:—
“Mon bras si dodu, “My arm so plump,
Ma jambe bien faite My leg well formed,
Et le temps perdu.’ And time wasted.’She had set her elbow on her knee and her chin in her
hand, and she swung her foot with an air of indifference.
Her tattered gown permitted a view of her thin shoulder-
blades. The neighboring street lantern illuminated her
profile and her attitude. Nothing more resolute and more
surprising could be seen.
The six rascals, speechless and gloomy at being held in