The Man. The little fellow with the cockade? Pass, comrade.
Desmoulins [pointing to Robespierre]. He is with me.
The Man. Pass, you, too, citizen Robert Pierre.
Desmoulins [fatuously]. Admire the power of eloquence, my friend! [Robespierre looks at him with a bitter smile, sighs, and follows him without a word.]
Gonchon [going to The Man]. What's going on here?
The Man. Make way!
Gonchon. What's that, you rascal? What are you doing here?
The Man [emphatically]. I am watching over the nation—over the thoughts of the nation.
Gonchon. What are you talking about? Have you any papers? Who stationed you here?
The Man. I.
Gonchon. Go home!
The Man. I am home. My home is the street. I have no home. You go home yourself. Get off my side-walk! [He makes a step toward Gonchon with a threat.]
Gonchon. Ah! No quarreling, now. I refuse to waste my time squabbling with a drunkard. Now, I shall continue on my rounds. These cursed vagabonds! And these barricades—they spring up out of the ground, like mushrooms; and the streets are full of these fellows! They think of nothing but fighting! If they were let alone, there would be no king tomorrow! [He goes out with his men.]
