Chapter 15: Little He Knows, Little He Sees
Éponine knew the streets of paris well, as she walked down them. The beggars lining the pavements, telling the upper-class to look down, to show some mercy. Look down, and show, some mercy if you can!
She dodged a prostitute arguing with old beggar women, when she spotted Gavroche leading all his street urchin friends down the streets. They were headed to General Lamarque's, as Éponine saw from Azelma's letter, but Gavroche stopped to talk to people on the way.
"How do ya do, my names Gavroche. These are my people, here's my patch. Not much to look at, nothing posh. Nothing that you'd-" he prodded the man. "Call up to scratch." Loads of people were listening now. He was speaking to a middle class man.
"This is my school, my high society Here in the slums of Saint Michele We live on crumbs of humble piety Tough on the teeth, but what the hell!" Gavroche turned, aware of his audience.
"Think you're poor? Think you're free? Follow me! Follow me!" A few urchins went after Gavroche, as he ran off to talk to other people. The beggars continued to beg, some grappling at people ankles, who shook them away in disgust.
Gavroche sat on General Lamarques doorstep. Marius and Enjolras weren't here yet.
"There was a time we killed the king, We tried to change the world too fast. Now we have got another king, He is no better than the last. This is the land that fought for liberty, Now when we fight, we fight for bread. Here is the thing about equality, everyones equal when they're dead. Take your place, take your chance. Vive la france!"
Loads of people chorused 'Vive la france', and some students went to join him on the had arrived, causing Eponine's heart to skip a beat. She fought her way nearer to the front of the crowd. The student she recognised as Enjolras began talking.
"Where are the leaders of the land? Where is the king-" he pretty much spat the word out. "Who runs this show?"
"Only one man-General Lamarque-speaks for the people here below!" Marius spoke, the voice Éponine loved very much. Coufeyrac went to whisper something into their ears.
"Lamarque is ill, and fading fast! Won't last a week out, so they say." Marius' next words caused a gasp to pass through the large crowd.
"With all the anger in the land How long before the judgement day? Before we cut the fat ones down to size?" There was a cheer after Enjolras spoke.
"Before the barricades arise?" Another roar of a cheer was heard. Horse hooves were heard as some of the calvary appeared to manage the crowd.
"We meet here at General Lamarques place, tomorrow at 10 o'clock!" Marius yelled before him and Enjolras climbed down.
"Marius!" Éponine watched as his Grandfather, Monsieur Gillenormand, called his name. Marius turned. "Grandfather." He said it a little mockingly. "Have you any idea of the shame you bring to our family?" His Grandfather shook his head in disgust and headed to his carriage. A bunch of people came between them, but they kept glaring at eachother. Éponine watched in silence, observing how perfect Marius still was, even when he was angry.
"Vive General Lamarque! Vive General Lamarque! Vive la france!" They were chanting at the rich men.
Thenardier had snuck into a corner, causing Jaques and Azelma to flee. He didn't notice Azelma; but he noticed Éponine staring after Marius.
"Éponine!" He grabbed her shoulder and roughly grabbed her over. He began assembling his gang. No, not with Marius around... Eponine couldn't complain.
"Everyone here, you know your place, Brujon, Babet...Claquesous!" He turned to Montparnasse and Eponine.
"You, Montparnasse, watch for the law with Eponine-take care!" He turned to his wife. "You turn on the tears-No mistakes, my dears!" Madame Thenardier held a bundle in her arms.
"These bloody students on our street, Here they come slumming once again! Our Éponine would kiss their feet, She never had a scrap of brain." Madame Thenardier complained.
Éponine had given Montparnasse the slip; or so she had thought; he was skulking in the shadows near her; and stood near Marius again. He was holding a bunch of books now.
"Hey, Éponine, what's up today? I haven't seen you much about." He hadn't seen her this morning, which wasn't normal as he usually saw her early each day.
"Here, you can always catch me in." She replied softly, glancing at her father.
"Mind that the police don't catch you out." He sounded a little worried, which pleased her. However, she was eager to change the subject.
"Here, whatcher do with all these books?" She took one, and flicked through it. "I could have been a student too! Don't judge a girl on how she looks-I know a lot of things, I do!" She smiled teasingly and handed him the book back.
He smiled sadly, shaking his head before saying, "Poor Éponine, the things you know! You wouldn't find in book like these."
"I like the way you grow your hair!" She reached to touch his hair, speaking gently. The smile had faded into a different expression. "I like the way you always tease." Marius turned to walk away.
"Little he knows...little he sees." She murmured. Marius turned sharply, looking at her in curiosity, as he'd heard.
A rich-looking man and his daughter had appeared. Madame Thenardier had noticed.
"Here's the old boy. Stay on the job and watch out for the law." She said to Montparnasse. Éponine turned to Marius, as she knew Montparnasse would find her soon. "Stay out of this!" She sounded concerned. "But Éponine-" Marius began. Éponine put her finger to his lips.
"You'll be in trouble here, it's not your concern-you'll be in the clear." She stepped back.
"Who is that Man?" Something about his daughters golden hair was familiar...
Éponine saw Montparnasse nearby. In despair, she cried "Leave me alone!" And ran away. "Why is he here-hey, Éponine!" Marius chased after her, but as he did so, he bumped into someone.
Éponine heard. She whipped around, seeing Marius staring into the eyes of the girl from the park. He spoke to her in a loving tone, whilst Éponine stared, the icy hand across her heart again.
"I did not see you there, forgive me."