They were in their working clothes. The commander, who had expected to see them in uniform, had a fit of surprise. The Emperor has been taken prisoner. A republic is proclaimed. My position is delicate, not to say perilous.
Minutes now are worth hours at other times.
Everything depends upon promptness of decision. You, Picard, go and find the curate and get him to ring the bell to bring the people together, while I get ahead of them. You, Torcheboeuf, beat the call to assemble the militia in arms, in the square, from even as far as the hamlets of Gerisaie and Salmare. You, Pommel, put on your uniform at once, that is, the jacket and cap. We, together, are going to take possession of the mairie and summon Monsieur de Varnetot to transfer his authority to me.