"I suppose it would come that your mamma would
dictate to me, and perhaps call some soldiers, and order them to
shoot the dreadful people?"
"You know, Master Simon, that I give no such command, and never gave
any such," said the queen, quickly.
"The king and I love our people, and never would give orders to our
soldiers to fire upon them."
"Because you would not be sure, madame, that the soldiers would obey
your commands, if you should," laughed Simon. "Since we got rid of
the Swiss guards, there are no soldiers left who would let
themselves be torn in pieces for their king and queen; and you know
well that if the soldiers should fire the first shot at us, the
people would tear the soldiers in pieces afterward. Yes, yes, the
fine days at Versailles are past; here, in Paris, you must accustom
yourself to ask, instead of command, and the arm of a single man of
the people is enough to stop the Queen and the Dauphin of France."
"You are mistaken, sir," said the queen, whose proud heart could no
longer be restrained, and allow her to take this humble stand; "the
Queen of France and her son will no longer be detained by you in
their walk."
And with a quick movement she caught the dauphin, struck back at the
same moment the fist of the cobbler, snatched the boy away like
lightning, and passed by before Simon had time to put his arm back.
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