'What news? What news?'
'Oh God, I don't know!' he said with an expression of agony. 'They won't
move. I thought they would rise up and take the work out of our hands.
But they are as dull as stones.'
'And the others?' I asked.
'They are going through the town trying to rouse the people. God knows
what success they will have!'
At that moment there was a stir at one end of the square, and a crowd of
mechanics surged in, headed by a gigantic butcher, flourishing a great
meat-axe. They were crying 'Liberty!' Matteo went towards them and began
to address them, but the butcher interrupted him and shouted coarse
words of enthusiasm, at which they all yelled with applause.
Checco came on the scene, accompanied by his servants. A small crowd
followed, crying,--
'Bravo, Checco! bravo!'
As soon as the mechanics saw him, they rushed towards him, surrounding
him with cries and cheers.... The square was growing fuller every
moment; the shops had been closed, and from all quarters came swarming
artisans and apprentices. I made my way to Checco and whispered to
him,--
'The people! Fire them, and the rest will follow.'
'A leader of rabble!'
'Never mind,' I said. 'Make use of them. Give way to them now, and they
will do your will. Give them the body of the Count!'