Les Miserables Page #6

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- VICTOR HUGO

PART TWO:

THE THNARDIERS:

Cosette!

Still here,

you little guttersnipe?

Get down to the spring right now

and fill your bucket.

You never change.

When it comes to fetching water,

you're never in a hurry.

Maybe she's scared.

- It's so dark, ma'am.

- Then run, you brat!

A clear conscience

has nothing to fear.

Don't forget the bread

at the baker's.

And mind you don't lose

that 20-sous coin.

I'd hate going for water

in the dark.

And now let's choose

some pretty dolls, children.

Would that big one

cost too much?

Want me to slap you?

I can't, ma'am.

I just can't anymore.

This bucket's too heavy for you.

It is, sir.

How old are you?

Eight, sir.

Your mother sent you

to fetch water?

No, sir. My mistress did.

Did you lose your mother?

I don't know, sir.

Who's your mistress?

Mrs. Thnardier.

What does she do?

She runs the inn.

I was just on my way there.

Take me there.

What's your name?

Are you the only servant

the Thnardiers have?

- Montfermeil is having a fair.

- Yes, sir. It's Christmas.

- Sir?

- Yes, child?

Can I have my bucket back?

Why?

If she sees you carrying it for me,

she'll beat me.

So there you are, you little scamp.

You sure took your time.

There's a gentleman here

who wants a room.

It's 40 sous.

Fine.

Give me that quick.

I need it for my horse.

I'd like supper.

Serve the gentleman.

What about the bread?

Did you forget the bread?

No, ma'am.

The bakery was closed.

You're lying.

You forgot.

Then give me back

my 20 sous.

You lost it.

You stole my 20-sous coin.

No, I didn't.

Excuse me.

I found this coin on the ground.

It's a 40-sous coin,

but it may be the one.

Yes, it is.

Don't let it happen again!

You'll be served in a minute.

Let's dress him up.

With a little hat!

Look.

Mama, look!

This is going too far!

You little thief!

The nerve!

And with her filthy hands.

Here, take it.

It's for you.

Take it.

That thing must've cost 30 francs.

Watch your step and kowtow to the man.

My little girl.

The gentleman gave you a doll.

You can play with it.

It's yours.

Aren't you going to play

with your doll?

Can I, ma'am?

Naturally.

The gentleman gave it to you.

Really, sir? Is it mine?

Ma'am,

can I put it on the chair?

Why, of course, my child.

Can you pay now?

That's the house rule.

Four francs.

It's got lace.

The dress is velvet.

The skirt is silk.

Will you be going up

to your room now?

In a while.

What's that?

That?

That's me.

Yes, you see...

that's me.

I saved a colonel's life

at Waterloo.

He even gave me his watch.

He told me his name,

but I didn't quite catch it.

Something like Champmercy.

Are you an art lover?

I painted it in my leisure time.

Perhaps you'd like to buy it?

No, thank you.

But I wouldn't let it go cheaply.

It means a lot to me

on account of the memories.

But times are hard.

We earn nothing.

We have two little girls

and a sickly 18-month-old toddler.

Not to mention this young 'un

we took in out of charity.

The mother hasn't sent money

in nearly a year.

I reckon she's dead.

But it ain't the child's fault, is it?

So we keep providing for her.

Suppose someone were

to take her off your hands?

Who? Cosette?

Maybe I got carried away

a moment ago.

I'm real fond of the child.

The missus is mad about her.

She treats her rough at times,

but we can't live without her.

She's grown on us.

Besides, you don't give

a child away like that -

no offense -

to a perfect stranger.

It's late.

Time for bed.

You too, Cosette.

The customers are almost all gone.

I can serve.

Go on, my dear Cosette.

Good night, Papa.

So how much

do you want for the child?

It'll cost you 1,500 francs.

Fine. I'll pay you

in the morning.

Show me to my room.

Are you crazy?

We can get twice that!

I'm sorry,

but we don't have a deal after all.

Cosette stays with us.

My wife and me thought it over.

We got no right to let her go.

Her mother left her with us.

I'm an honest man.

The child's a sacred trust.

I promised her mother to love her

like my own. I can't forget that.

We can't tear our hearts out

for 1,500 francs.

"Mr. Thnardier,

please entrust Cosette

to the bearer of this letter.

He will pay you

all expenses due.

Respectfully yours, Fantine."

Keep the letter. The mother

gave it to me just before she died.

Are you the guardian?

Supposing you are

the person in question.

Let's talk figures.

Here.

There are clothes for you inside.

Get dressed right away.

Right away.

Since Fantine's death,

you're owed for 10 months

at 15 francs each.

That makes 150 francs.

Here's 1,500 francs.

A 1,000-franc note,

and another of 500.

Plus 50 for my bill.

Count it.

I'm ready, sir.

Mister whatever your name is,

keep your 1,500 francs.

Cosette stays here

unless you pay 1,000 crowns.

A thousand crowns,

you hear?

Let me have your doll.

Let's go.

We'll meet again, sir.

Not even a good-bye kiss,

the ungrateful wench!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

Where are you, Father?

What are you thinking about?

You, Cosette,

when you were a little girl.

I'm still your little girl.

You're 16 today.

What if I am?

I've forgotten nothing.

I still have that lovely doll

from Montfermeil.

I kept it at the convent.

It wasn't easy, you know.

I haven't changed.

Have I?

Has the air of Paris

changed me?

A little.

That's for sure.

How pretty

mademoiselle has grown!

Such a coquette!

Sixteen.

Time to blow out the candles.

Two puffs.

I'll marry within two years.

How impatient

you are to leave me.

Mr. Fauchelevent,

you're very mean to me.

Even when I marry,

I'll never leave you.

Ever.

You have to live with the fact.

It's like a chain that binds us,

Mr. Fauchelevent.

Won't you be glad

to see me living happily

with a good husband?

There's no hurry.

Don't you want

to be a grandfather?

A grandfather?

What's the matter with him?

Maybe we hurt his feelings.

- I haven't dared yet.

- A big girl like you?

It's not easy.

I'll talk to him tomorrow.

We may go to your awful house

Sunday after vespers

to see those poor people.

The Jondrettes, my neighbors?

But I'll still see you

at the park at 4:00.

Of course.

Know where I'm going later?

My grandfather's.

Mr. Gillenormand? If he consents,

I can tell my father. Watch out!

- You know this popinjay?

- Me?

I've seen him

hanging around our house.

He smiled at you.

- Did he?

Get inside.

It's chilly out.

Are you angry, Father?

Are you?

Will we visit

the poor tomorrow?

Shut the window

and come sit down.

I won't close your caf down

if you answer me.

- Hello, boss.

- Mr. Marius.

What's the matter, Mr. Musain?

I'm being nosy. So sorry.

What about him?

Marius what?

I don't know, Inspector.

Everyone calls him Marius.

Here's Pontmercy!

He didn't spot the informer.

Our good king

doesn't trust us.

We're official conspirators

at last.

Dangerous suspects!

We're getting princely treatment.

A top-rank inspector: Mr. Javert.

Long live the republic!

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