雨果 悲惨世界 英文版1-第58章

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a　man　out　quickly　One　is　old　while　he　is　still　quite　young　in　that　trade。
　　At　forty　a　man　is　done　for。
　　I　was　fifty…three。　I　was　in　a　bad　state。
　　And　then；　workmen　are　so　mean！
　　When　a　man　is　no　longer　young；　they　call　him　nothing　but　an　old　bird；　old　beast！　I　was　not　earning　more　than　thirty　sous　a　day。
　　They　paid　me　as　little　as　possible。
　　The　masters　took　advantage　of　my　age　and　then　I　had　my　daughter；　who　was　a　laundress　at　the　river。　She　earned　a　little　also。
　　It　sufficed　for　us　two。
　　She　had　trouble；　also；　all　day　long　up　to　her　waist　in　a　tub；　in　rain；　in　snow。　When　the　wind　cuts　your　face；　when　it　freezes；　it　is　all　the　same；　you　must　still　wash。
　　There　are　people　who　have　not　much　linen；　and　wait　until　late；　if　you　do　not　wash；　you　lose　your　custom。　The　planks　are　badly　joined；　and　water　drops　on　you　from　everywhere；　you　have　your　petticoats　all　damp　above　and　below。
　　That　penetrates。　She　has　also　worked　at　the　laundry　of　the　Enfants…Rouges；　where　the　water　es　through　faucets。
　　You　are　not　in　the　tub　there；　you　wash　at　the　faucet　in　front　of　you；　and　rinse　in　a　basin　behind　you。
　　As　it　is　enclosed；　you　are　not　so　cold；　but　there　is　that　hot　steam；　which　is　terrible；　and　which　ruins　your　eyes。　She　came　home　at　seven　o'clock　in　the　evening；　and　went　to　bed　at　once；　she　was　so　tired。
　　Her　husband　beat　her。
　　She　is　dead。　We　have　not　been　very　happy。
　　She　was　a　good　girl；　who　did　not　go　to　the　ball；　and　who　was　very　peaceable。
　　I　remember　one　Shrove…Tuesday　when　she　went　to　bed　at　eight　o'clock。　There；　I　am　telling　the　truth；　you　have　only　to　ask。
　　Ah；　yes！　how　stupid　I　am！
　　Paris　is　a　gulf。　Who　knows　Father　Champmathieu　there？
　　But　M。　Baloup　does；　I　tell　you。　Go　see　at　M。　Baloup's；　and　after　all；　I　don't　know　what　is　wanted　of　me。〃
　　The　man　ceased　speaking；　and　remained　standing。
　　He　had　said　these　things　in　a　loud；　rapid；　hoarse　voice；　with　a　sort　of　irritated　and　savage　ingenuousness。
　　Once　he　paused　to　salute　some　one　in　the　crowd。　The　sort　of　affirmations　which　he　seemed　to　fling　out　before　him　at　random　came　like　hiccoughs；　and　to　each　he　added　the　gesture　of　a　wood…cutter　who　is　splitting　wood。
　　When　he　had　finished；　the　audience　burst　into　a　laugh。
　　He　stared　at　the　public；　and；　perceiving　that　they　were　laughing；　and　not　understanding　why；　he　began　to　laugh　himself。
　　It　was　inauspicious。
　　The　President；　an　attentive　and　benevolent　man；　raised　his　voice。
　　He　reminded　〃the　gentlemen　of　the　jury〃　that　〃the　sieur　Baloup；　formerly　a　master…wheelwright；　with　whom　the　accused　stated　that　he　had　served；　had　been　summoned　in　vain。
　　He　had　bee　bankrupt；　and　was　not　to　be　found。〃
　　Then　turning　to　the　accused；　he　enjoined　him　to　listen　to　what　he　was　about　to　say；　and　added：
　　〃You　are　in　a　position　where　reflection　is　necessary。
　　The　gravest　presumptions　rest　upon　you；　and　may　induce　vital　results。
　　Prisoner；　in　your　own　interests；　I　summon　you　for　the　last　time　to　explain　yourself　clearly　on　two　points。
　　In　the　first　place；　did　you　or　did　you　not　climb　the　wall　of　the　Pierron　orchard；　break　the　branch；　and　steal　the　apples；　that　is　to　say；　mit　the　crime　of　breaking　in　and　theft？　In　the　second　place；　are　you　the　discharged　convict；　Jean　Valjean　yes　or　no？〃
　　The　prisoner　shook　his　head　with　a　capable　air；　like　a　man　who　has　thoroughly　understood；　and　who　knows　what　answer　he　is　going　to　make。　He　opened　his　mouth；　turned　towards　the　President；　and　said：
　　〃In　the　first　place〃
　　Then　he　stared　at　his　cap；　stared　at　the　ceiling；　and　held　his　peace。
　　〃Prisoner；〃　said　the　district…attorney；　in　a　severe　voice；　〃pay　attention。
　　You　are　not　answering　anything　that　has　been　asked　of　you。
　　Your　embarrassment　condemns　you。
　　It　is　evident　that　your　name　is　not　Champmathieu；　that　you　are　the　convict；　Jean　Valjean；　concealed　first　under　the　name　of　Jean　Mathieu；　which　was　the　name　of　his　mother；　that　you　went　to　Auvergne；　that　you　were　born　at　Faverolles；　where　you　were　a　pruner　of　trees。　It　is　evident　that　you　have　been　guilty　of　entering；　and　of　the　theft　of　ripe　apples　from　the　Pierron　orchard。
　　The　gentlemen　of　the　jury　will　form　their　own　opinion。〃
　　The　prisoner　had　finally　resumed　his　seat；　he　arose　abruptly　when　the　district…attorney　had　finished；　and　exclaimed：
　　〃You　are　very　wicked；　that　you　are！
　　This　what　I　wanted　to　say；　I　could　not　find　words　for　it　at　first。
　　I　have　stolen　nothing。　I　am　a　man　who　does　not　have　something　to　eat　every　day。　I　was　ing　from　Ailly；　I　was　walking　through　the　country　after　a　shower；　which　had　made　the　whole　country　yellow：
　　even　the　ponds　were　overflowed；　and　nothing　sprang　from　the　sand　any　more　but　the　little　blades　of　grass　at　the　wayside。
　　I　found　a　broken　branch　with　apples　on　the　ground；　I　picked　up　the　branch　without　knowing　that　it　would　get　me　into　trouble。
　　I　have　been　in　prison；　and　they　have　been　dragging　me　about　for　the　last　three　months；　more　than　that　I　cannot　say；　people　talk　against　me；　they　tell　me；　‘Answer！'　The　gendarme；　who　is　a　good　fellow；　nudges　my　elbow；　and　says　to　me　in　a　low　voice；　‘e；　answer！'
　　I　don't　know　how　to　explain；　I　have　no　education；　I　am　a　poor　man；　that　is　where　they　wrong　me；　because　they　do　not　see　this。
　　I　have　not　stolen；　I　picked　up　from　the　ground　things　that　were　lying　there。　You　say；　Jean　Valjean；　Jean　Mathieu！
　　I　don't　know　those　persons；　they　are　villagers。
　　I　worked　for　M。　Baloup；　Boulevard　de　l'Hopital；　my　name　is　Champmathieu。
　　You　are　very　clever　to　tell　me　where　I　was　born；　I　don't　know　myself：
　　it's　not　everybody　who　has　a　house　in　which　to　e　into　the　world；　that　would　be　too　convenient。　I　think　that　my　father　and　mother　were　people　who　strolled　along　the　highways；　I　know　nothing　different。
　　When　I　was　a　child；　they　called　me　young　fellow；　now　they　call　me　old　fellow；　those　are　my　baptismal　names；　take　that　as　you　like。
　　I　have　been　in　Auvergne；　I　have　been　at　Faverolles。
　　Pardi。
　　Well！　can't　a　man　have　been　in　Auvergne；　or　at　Faverolles；　without　having　been　in　the　galleys？　I　tell　you　that　I　have　not　stolen；　and　that　I　am　Father　Champmathieu；　I　have　been　with　M。　Baloup；　I　have　had　a　settled　residence。　You　worry　me　with　your　nonsense；　there！
　　Why　is　everybody　pursuing　me　so　furiously？〃
　　The　district…attorney　had　remained　standing；　he　addressed　the　President：
　　〃Monsieur　le　President；　in　view　of　the　confused　but　exceedingly　clever　denials　of　the　prisoner；　who　would　like　to　pass　himself　off　as　an　idiot；　but　who　will　not　succeed　in　so　doing；　we　shall　attend　to　that；we　demand　that　it　shall　please　you　and　that　it　shall　please　the　court　to　summon　once　more　into　this　place　the　convicts　Brevet；　Cochepaille；　and　Chenildieu；　and　Police…Inspector　Javert；　and　question　them　for　the　last　time　as　to　the　identity　of　the　prisoner　with　the　convict　Jean　Valjean。〃
　　〃I　would　remind　the　district…attorney；〃　said　the　President；　〃that　Police…Inspector　Javert；　recalled　by　his　duties　to　the　capital　of　a　neighboring　arrondissement；　left　the　court…room　and　the　town　as　soon　as　he　had　made　his　deposition；　we　have　accorded　him　permission；　with　the　consent　of　the　district…attorney　and　of　the　counsel　for　the　prisoner。〃
　　〃That　is　true；　Mr。　President；〃　responded　the　district…attorney。　〃In　the　absence　of　sieur　Javert；　I　think　it　my　duty　to　remind　the　gentlemen　of　the　jury　of　what　he　said　here　a　few　hours　ago。　Javert　is　an　estimable　man；　who　does　honor　by　his　rigorous　and　strict　probity　to　inferior　but　important　functions。
　　These　are　the　terms　of　his　deposition：
　　‘I　do　not　even　stand　in　need　of　circumstantial　proofs　and　moral　presumptions　to　give　the　lie　to　the　prisoner's　denial。　I　recognize　him　perfectly。
　　The　name　of　this　man　is　not　Champmathieu；　he　is　an　ex…convict　named　Jean　Valjean；　and　is　very　vicious　and　much　to　be　feared。
　　It　is　only　with　extreme　regret　that　he　was　released　at　the　expiration　of　his　term。
　　He　underwent　nineteen　years　of　penal　servitude　for　theft。
　　He　made　five　or　six　attempts　to　escape。　Besides　the　theft　from　Little　Gervais；　and　from　the　Pierron　orchard；　I　suspect　him　of　a　theft　mitted　in　the　house　of　His　Grace　the　late　Bishop　of　D　I　often　saw　him　at　the　time　when　I　was　adjutant　of　the　galley…guard　at　the　prison　in　Toulon。
　　I　repeat　that　I　recognize　him　perfectly。'〃
　　This　extremely　precise　statement　appeared　to　produce　a　vivid　impression　on　the　public　and　on　the　jury。
　　The　district…attorney　concluded　by　insisting；　that　in　default　of　Javert；　the　three　witnesses　Brevet；　Chenildieu；　and　Cochepaille　should　be　heard　once　more　and　solemnly　interrogated。
　　The　President　transmitted　the　order　to　an　usher；　and；　a　moment　later；　the　door　of　the　witnesses'　room　opened。
　　The　usher；　acpanied　by　a　gendarme　ready　to　lend　him　armed　assistance；　introduced　the　convict　Brevet。
　　The　audience　was　in　suspense；　and　all　breasts　heaved　as　though　they　had　contained　but　one　soul。
　　The　ex…convict　Brevet　wore　the　black　and　gray　waistcoat　of　the　central　prisons。
　　Brevet　was　a　person　sixty　years　of　age；　who　had　a　sort　of　business　man's　face；　and　the　air　of　a　rascal。　The　two　sometimes　go　together。
　　In　prison；　whither　fresh　misdeeds　had　led　him；　he　had　bee　something　in　the　nature　of　a　turnkey。　He　was　a　man　of　whom　his　superiors　said；　〃He　tries　to　make　himself　of　use。〃
　　The　chaplains　bore　good　testimony　as　to　his　religious　habits。　It　must　not　be　forgotten　that　this　passed　under　the　Restoration。
　　〃Brevet；〃　said　the　President；　〃you　have　undergone　an　ignominious　sentence；　and　you　cannot　take　an　oath。〃
　　Brevet　dropped　his　eyes。
　　〃Nevertheless；〃　continued　the　President；　〃even　in　the　man　whom　the　law　has　degraded；　there　may　remain；　when　the　divine　mercy　permits　it；　a　sentiment　of　honor　and　of　equity。
　　It　is　to　this　sentiment　that　I　appeal　at　this　decisive　hour。
　　If　it　still　exists　in　you；and　I　hope　it　does；reflect　before　replying　to　me：　consider　on　the　one　hand；　this　man；　whom　a　word　from　you　may　ruin；　on　the　other　hand；　justice；　which　a　word　from　you　may　enlighten。　The　instant　is　solemn；　there　is　still　time　to　retract　if　you　think　you　have　been　mistaken。
　　Rise；　prisoner。
　　Brevet；　take　a　good　look　at　the　accused；　recall　your　souvenirs；　and　tell　us　on　your　soul　and　conscience；　if　you　persist　in　recognizing　this　man　as　your　former　panion　in　the　galleys；　Jean　Valjean？〃
　　Brevet　looked　at　the　prisoner；　then　turned　towards　the　court。
　　〃Yes；　Mr。　President；　I　was　the　first　to　recognize　him；　and　I　stick　to　it；　that　man　is　Jean　Valjean；　who　entered　at　Toulon　in　1796；　and　left　in　1815。
　　I　left　a　year　later。
　　He　has　the　air　of　a　brute　now；　but　it　must　be　because　age　has　brutalized　him；　he　was　sly　at　the　galleys：　I　recognize　him　positively。〃
　　〃Take　your　seat；〃　said　the　President。
　　〃Prisoner；　remain　standing。〃
　　Chenildieu　was　brought　in；　a　prisoner　for　life；　as　was　indicated　by　his　red　cassock　and　his　green　cap。
　　He　was　serving　out　his　sentence　at　the　galleys　of　Toulon；　whence　he　had　been　brought　for　this　case。　He　was　a　small　man　of　about　fifty；　brisk；　wrinkled；　frail；　yellow；　brazen…faced；　feverish；　who　had　a　sort　of　sickly　feebleness　about　all　his　limbs　and　his　whol