came along, which stirred and flickered in flames of faces at most

doors and windows. Yet, no one had followed them, and no man

spoke when they entered the wine-shop, though the eyes of every

man there were turned upon them.

“Good day, gentlemen!” said Monsieur Defarge.

It may have been a signal for loosening the general tongue. It

elicited an answering chorus of “Good day!”

“It is bad weather, gentlemen,” said Defarge, shaking his head.

Upon which, every man looked at his neighbour, and then all

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

cast down their eyes and sat silent. Except one man, who got up

and went out.

“My wife,” said Defarge aloud, addressing Madame Defarge: “I

have travelled certain leagues with this good mender of roads,

called Jacques. I met himby accidenta day and a half’s journey

out of Paris. He is a good child, this mender of roads, called

Jacques. Give him to drink, my wife!”

A second man got up and went out. Madame Defarge set wine

before the mender of roads called Jacques, who doffed his blue

cap to the company, and drank. In the breast of his blouse he

carried some coarse dark bread; he ate of this between whiles, and

sat munching and drinking near Madame Defarge’s counter. A

third man got up and went out.

Defarge refreshed himself with a draught of winebut, he took

less than was given to th