"
"Oh!" retorted Adhemar, stung to the quick, "What do you mean by that,
you fine painter fellow? You are glad enough to have these bourgeoisie
that you scorn pay for your pictures!"
"If I make pictures and anybody buys them, that is proof enough that
they are idiots. But my hatred of the bourgeoisie only extends to the
category to which you belong; those who, ever since they were born,
have found their food ready under their noses; those who, never using
their ten fingers, never using their brains, live only to increase
inherited incomes; hearts locked by greed, narrow minds unwilling to
hear the just claims of the humble, of those who work and suffer for
them; enemies of progress, enemies of their country."
"Oh! oh! oh!" screamed Meydieux.
"Yes, refusing to perform the sole function the State expects of
them."
"And that is?"
"To become a husband, a father, a parent."
"You are insolent! It is not worth my while to reply to you. You may
tell my goddaughter...."
The door opened, and Esperance, who had been kept awake by the noise
of their voices, appeared to know what was the matter!
"Ah! there you are. I will say good-bye! Your cavaliers annoy me."
He threw a furious glance towards Jean, who had not spoken a word. It
is a fact that the majority of people cherish more rancour against the
witness of an insult than against the insulter himself.
"I will not be present at your triumph--as they call it.
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