Page:Storm Over Paris.pdf/132

"By the way," Suzette asked naively, "what'll we do about him?"

"What do you mean? String him up on a lamp post?" Jeanne laughed heartily.

Pierre bought the second round of drinks.

"Bordeaux! Red Bordeaux!" he called out in a thunderous voice. "And long live the victory of peace and justice all over the world! Here's to victory!" He finished the toast quickly, afraid that Lucien might again introduce some anti-climactic remark.

Mary ordered a round of Malaga wine.

"To higher wages!" she called out, her cheeks aflame.

There was the clink of glasses, the sound of happy voices and unrestrained laughter. Jeanne, Suzette, and Marcel each stood treat. Now it was Anna's turn.

"Champagne," she called out. "A bottle of champagne!"

The People's Front was like a swollen river that dragged along its mighty current. The love of the People, the love for Eric. He seemed vague to her now, like a prince in a fairy tale. "Champagne," she repeated, "this victory deserves champagne!" The others broke into a confusion of shouts. "Bravo! Bravo!"

The sparkling drink was passed around. It seemed to Anna that the chair beneath her heaved and bubbled just like the bubbling liquor in the glasses.

They all waited for her to propose a toast, while her head swam with the bubbles that rose and broke in her champagne glass. Suddenly she felt a desire to weep, and broke out into a fit of wild laughter. Someone sprinkled a few drops of water into her face, and again everyone laughed hilariously.

"A toast! A toast! To a radiant future."

But soon Pierre showed signs of impatience. "We're just