Their fingers trembled while they worked, and the thread, heavily coated with beeswax, squeaked as they drew it through the cloth.
"We shall not be in time," said Madame Godere; "I know we shall not.
Everything hinders me.

My thread breaks or gets tangled and my needle's so rusty I can hardly stick it through the cloth.

O dear!" Alice encouraged her with both words and work, and they had almost finished when Rene came with a staff which he had brought from the fort.
"Mon dieu, but we have had a great meeting!" he cried.

He was perspiring with excitement and fast walking; leaning on the staff he mopped his face with a blue handkerchief.
"We heard much shouting and noise," said Madame Godere, "M.
Roussillon's voice rose loud above the rest.

He roared like a lion." "Ah, he was speaking to us; he was very eloquent," Rene replied.