Disclaimer: I don't own Tale of Two Cities
The wine-shop was abuzz with conversation. When Defarge and his wife started discussing the poor conditions of this town a young woman of not more than 14 came up to them.
"You are a hypocrite," this mysterious girl said.
"How then," Therese asked, "I don't understand your meaning."
"You talk of the hardships people endure and yet you have a shop which serves both food and wine. You charge people for their drinks and their food and the people who cannot afford it you will not serve. You could at least make the lives of these people a little bit better by filling their bellies and quenching their thirst. Instead you gripe about the difficult circumstances and do nothing to improve it."
"We must earn our keep," Ernest pointed out.
"I do not say you shouldn't," the young woman said, "Charge those who can afford it but provide for those who have the need."
"What do they call you," Ernest asked
"They call me Channery," the girl said, "It means wise and you are behaving in a way that is foolish"
"You may have a point here," Therese said, "I suppose we have been acting a bit foolish. Hold your tongue however"
"I simply bring the message of my Heavenly Father," the girl said, "Compassion is needed to get anywhere"
It is a lesson they would well remember one day.