Page 1131 - les-miserables

CHAPTER IV

THE BACK ROOM OF

THE CAFE MUSAIN

One of the conversations among the young men, at which
Marius was present and in which he sometimes joined, was
a veritable shock to his mind.
This took place in the back room of the Cafe Musain.
Nearly all the Friends of the A B C had convened that eve-
ning. The argand lamp was solemnly lighted. They talked
of one thing and another, without passion and with noise.
With the exception of Enjolras and Marius, who held their
peace, all were haranguing rather at hap-hazard. Conver-
sations between comrades sometimes are subject to these
peaceable tumults. It was a game and an uproar as much as
a conversation. They tossed words to each other and caught
them up in turn. They were chattering in all quarters.
No woman was admitted to this back room, except Loui-
son, the dish-washer of the cafe, who passed through it from
time to time, to go to her washing in the ‘lavatory.’
Grantaire, thoroughly drunk, was deafening the cor-
ner of which he had taken possession, reasoning and

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