The first form seemed to be some elderly bourgeois； who was bent and thoughtful； dressed more than plainly； and who was walking slowly because of his age； and strolling about in the open evening air。
The second was straight； firm； slender。
It regulated its pace by that of the first； but in the voluntary slowness of its gait； suppleness and agility were discernible。
This figure had also something fierce and disquieting about it； the whole shape was that of what was then called an elegant； the hat was of good shape； the coat black； well cut； probably of fine cloth； and well fitted in at the waist。
The head was held erect with a sort of robust grace； and beneath the hat the pale profile of a young man could be made out in the dim light。
The profile had a rose in its mouth。 This second form was well known to Gavroche； it was Montparnasse。
He could have told nothing about the other； except that he was a respectable old man。
Gavroche immediately began to take observations。
One of these two pedestrians evidently had a project connected with the other。
Gavroche was well placed to watch the course of events。 The bedroom had turned into a hiding…place at a very opportune moment。
Montparnasse on the hunt at such an hour； in such a place； betokened something threatening。
Gavroche felt his gamin's heart moved with passion for the old man。
What was he to do？
Interfere？
One weakness ing to the aid of another！
It would be merely a laughing matter for Montparnasse。 Gavroche did not shut his eyes to the fact that the old man； in the first place； and the child in the second； would make but two mouthfuls for that redoubtable ruffian eighteen years of age。
While Gavroche was deliberating； the attack took place； abruptly and hideously。
The attack of the tiger on the wild ass； the attack of the spider on the fly。
Montparnasse suddenly tossed away his rose； bounded upon the old man； seized him by the collar； grasped and clung to him； and Gavroche with difficulty restrained a scream。
A moment later one of these men was underneath the other； groaning； struggling； with a knee of marble upon his breast。
Only； it was not just what Gavroche had expected。 The one who lay on the earth was Montparnasse； the one who was on top was the old man。
All this took place a few paces distant from Gavroche。
The old man had received the shock； had returned it； and that in such a terrible fashion； that in a twinkling； the assailant and the assailed had exchanged roles。
〃Here's a hearty veteran！〃 thought Gavroche。
He could not refrain from clapping his hands。
But it was applause wasted。
It did not reach the batants； absorbed and deafened as they were； each by the other； as their breath mingled in the struggle。
Silence ensued。
Montparnasse ceased his struggles。
Gavroche indulged in this aside：
〃Can he be dead！〃
The goodman had not uttered a word； nor given vent to a cry。 He rose to his feet； and Gavroche heard him say to Montparnasse：
〃Get up。〃
Montparnasse rose； but the goodman held him fast。 Montparnasse's attitude was the humiliated and furious attitude of the wolf who has been caught by a sheep。
Gavroche looked on and listened； making an effort to reinforce his eyes with his ears。
He was enjoying himself immensely。
He was repaid for his conscientious anxiety in the character of a spectator。
He was able to catch on the wing a dialogue which borrowed from the darkness an indescribably tragic accent。 The goodman questioned； Montparnasse replied。
〃How old are you？〃
〃Nineteen。〃
〃You are strong and healthy。
Why do you not work？〃
〃It bores me。〃
〃What is your trade？〃
〃An idler。〃
〃Speak seriously。
Can anything be done for you？
What would you like to be？〃
〃A thief。〃
A pause ensued。
The old man seemed absorbed in profound thought。 He stood motionless； and did not relax his hold on Montparnasse。
Every moment the vigorous and agile young ruffian indulged in the twitchings of a wild beast caught in a snare。
He gave a jerk； tried a crook of the knee； twisted his limbs desperately； and made efforts to escape。
The old man did not appear to notice it； and held both his arms with one hand； with the sovereign indifference of absolute force。
The old man's revery lasted for some time； then； looking steadily at Montparnasse； he addressed to him in a gentle voice； in the midst of the darkness where they stood； a solemn harangue； of which Gavroche did not lose a single syllable：
〃My child； you are entering； through indolence； on one of the most laborious of lives。
Ah！
You declare yourself to be an idler！ prepare to toil。
There is a certain formidable machine； have you seen it？ It is the rolling…mill。 You must be on your guard against it； it is crafty and ferocious； if it catches hold of the skirt of your coat； you will be drawn in bodily。
That machine is laziness。 Stop while there is yet time； and save yourself！
Otherwise； it is all over with you； in a short time you will be among the gearing。 Once entangled； hope for nothing more。
Toil； lazybones！ there is no more repose for you！
The iron hand of implacable toil has seized you。 You do not wish to earn your living； to have a task； to fulfil a duty！ It bores you to be like other men？
Well！
You will be different。 Labor is the law； he who rejects it will find ennui his torment。 You do not wish to be a workingman； you will be a slave。 Toil lets go of you on one side only to grasp you again on the other。
You do not desire to be its friend； you shall be its negro slave。
Ah！
You would have none of the honest weariness of men； you shall have the sweat of the damned。
Where others sing； you will rattle in your throat。
You will see afar off； from below； other men at work； it will seem to you that they are resting。 The laborer； the harvester； the sailor； the blacksmith； will appear to you in glory like the blessed spirits in paradise。
What radiance surrounds the forge！
To guide the plough； to bind the sheaves； is joy。
The bark at liberty in the wind； what delight！
Do you； lazy idler； delve； drag on； roll； march！
Drag your halter。 You are a beast of burden in the team of hell！
Ah！
To do nothing is your object。
Well； not a week； not a day； not an hour shall you have free from oppression。
You will be able to lift nothing without anguish。
Every minute that passes will make your muscles crack。 What is a feather to others will be a rock to you。
The simplest things will bee steep acclivities。
Life will bee monstrous all about you。
To go； to e； to breathe； will be just so many terrible labors。
Your lungs will produce on you the effect of weighing a hundred pounds。
Whether you shall walk here rather than there； will bee a problem that must be solved。
Any one who wants to go out simply gives his door a push； and there he is in the open air。 If you wish to go out； you will be obliged to pierce your wall。 What does every one who wants to step into the