"They must be inflammable stuff like bolting-cloth, muslin or gauze," Gildas thought to himself, "and yet they are heavy as lead--another puzzling thing!" "My dear friend," Lebrenn said to his wife, "I have matters to talk over with you. Shall we go up to your room with the children, while Jeanike sets the table? It is getting late. You, Gildas, may put up the shutters. We shall have but few customers this afternoon." "Close up the shop! Oh, monsieur, I think you are very right!" cried Gildas delightedly. "I thought so long ago." And as he ran to execute the orders of his employer, the latter said to him: "Stop a moment, Gildas. Do not close the front door. I expect several people to call for me. If they come take them to the rear room and notify me." "Yes, monsieur," answered Gildas with a sigh, seeing he would have preferred to see the shop closed tight, and the door protected with its good strong iron bars, and bolted from within. "And now, my dear," Lebrenn proceeded to say to his wife, "we shall go up to your room." It was by this time almost dark. The merchant's family mounted to the first floor, and gathered in Madam Lebrenn's bedroom. The merchant then addressed his wife in a grave voice: "My dear Henory, we are on the eve of great events." "I believe it, my friend," answered Madam Lebrenn thoughtfully. "I shall tell you in a few words how the situation has shaped itself to-day," proceeded Lebrenn. "Then judge whether my plan is good or bad; oppose it, if you disapprove, or encourage me if you approve." "I listen, my friend," answered Madam Lebrenn calm, serious and thoughtful, like one of our mothers of old at the solemn councils where their views prevailed more than once. Monsieur Lebrenn proceeded: "After having carried on their agitation in France during three months by means of reform banquets, the deputies yesterday summoned the people to the street. Heart seemed to have failed the intrepid agitators at the last moment. They did not dare to appear at the rendezvous which they themselves had set. The people came in order to maintain their right of assemblage and to run their own business. It is now rumored that the King has appointed a cabinet out of the leaders of the dynastic center. This concession does not satisfy us. What we want, what the people want, is the total overthrow of the monarchy; we want the Republic, which means sovereignty for all--political rights for all--in order to insure education, wellbeing, work, and credit to all, provided we are brave and honest. That is our program, wife! Is it right or wrong?" "Right!" answered Madam Lebrenn in a tone of firm conviction. "It is right!"