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— William Blake

Does the Eagle know what is in the pit?

Or wilt thou go ask the Mole:

Can Wisdom be put in a silver rod?

Or Love in a golden bowl?

…

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noun

One who, or that which, accelerates.

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Chapter 101 of 365

Chapter Ix— Thénardier And His Manœuvres

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On the following morning, two hours at least before day-break,Thénardier, seated beside a candle in the public room of the tavern,pen in hand, was making out the bill for the traveller with the yellowcoat.

His wife, standing beside him, and half bent over him, was following him with her eyes. They exchanged not a word. On the one hand, there was profound meditation, on the other, the religious admiration with which one watches the birth and development of a marvel of the human mind. A noise was audible in the house; it was the Lark sweeping the stairs.

After the lapse of a good quarter of an hour, and some erasures, Thénardier produced the following masterpiece:—

BILL OF THE GENTLEMAN IN No. 1.

Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 francs.Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ”Candle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ”Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ”Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ”———Total . . . . . . 23 francs.

Service was written servisse.

“Twenty-three francs!” cried the woman, with an enthusiasm which wasmingled with some hesitation.

Like all great artists, Thénardier was dissatisfied.

“Peuh!” he exclaimed.

Chapter Ix— Thénardier And His Manœuvres

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