LA CONTAT. His cheeks are running with tears! How funny he is! THE CROWD [_half laughing, the other half applauding_] There's a real friend of the people! Long live Marat! [_They surround him, put him on their shoulders and, in spite of his struggles, carry him about._] HULIN [_catching sight of a little girl who is looking at_ MARAT, _her eyes full of tears_]. "What's the trouble, little one? You're crying, too? [_The Little Girl keeps her eyes fixed on_ MARAT, _whose bearers have now allowed him, to alight. She runs to him._] LITTLE JULIE [_to_ MARAT, _her hands clasped_]. Don't cry! Don't cry! MARAT [_looking at her_]. What is it, little one? JULIE. Don't be unhappy, please! We'll be better, I promise, we won't be cowards any more. We won't lie; we'll be good, I swear! [_The Crowd laughs._ HULIN _motions those near him to be silent, and not interrupt the Little Girl._ MARAT, _who is seated, assumes a different expression as he listens to her. His face brightens, and he looks tenderly at the child, and takes her hands in his._] MARAT. Why do you cry? JULIE. Because you cry. MARAT. Do you know me? JULIE. When I was sick, you took care of me. MARAT [_draws her tenderly toward him, and looks into her eyes, smoothing her hair back from her face._] Yes, your name is Julie. Your mother is a washerwoman. You had measles last winter. You were afraid. You cried as you lay in your little bed, because you didn't want to die. [_She turns her head away. He takes the child's head and presses it to his breast as he smiles._] Don't be ashamed. So, you understood me, eh? You are with me? Do you know what I should like? JULIE. Yes, and I want it, too--[_The rest of her sentence is lost, as she hesitates._] MARAT. What? JULIE [_raising her head and speaking with an air of conviction that causes the bystanders to smile_]. Liberty. MARAT. What would you do with it? JULIE. Give it. MARAT. To whom? JULIE. To the poor people who are in prison. MARAT. Where? JULIE. There--in the big prison. They're alone all the time, and people forget them. [_The attitude of the Crowd changes. It has become serious; some frown and do not look at their neighbors. They stare at the ground, and appear to be speaking to themselves._] MARAT. How do you know that, little one? JULIE. I know--I've been told. I often think about them, at night. MARAT [_smoothing her hair_]. But you must sleep at night. JULIE [_after a few moments' pause, takes_ MARAT'S _hands and says with passion_], We will free them, won't we? MARAT. But how? JULIE. Go there all together. THE CROWD [_laughing_]. Ha! It's so easy! [_The Little Girl raises her eyes, and sees the circle of curious onlookers staring at her. She is frightened and hides her head in her arm, which rests on_ HULIN'S _table._] LA CONTAT. Isn't she dear!