A Tale of Two Cities
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A Tale of Two Cities Volume III, Chapter Seven – A Knock at the Door Summary
- The Manettes have been living pretty frugally, since they’ve had to pay for all of Charles’ food and lodging in prison. It hasn’t been cheap.
- Nonetheless, they decide to have a little feast to celebrate Charles’ return.
- Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher have been taking care of the shopping for the past few months.
- It’s actually a harder job than it might seem.
- See, since everyone is now suspicious of anyone who has money, Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher have to go around buying things in really small quantities.
- They buy one thing at one store, then go across town to buy another thing at another store.
- As they set out to walk out tonight, Miss Pross expresses her opinion of the patriots of the new Republic.
- She doesn’t like them all that much. In fact, she thinks that they’re a bunch of hooligans.
- Before they leave, though, Miss Pross has one question for the Manettes: when will they be able to leave?
- Dr. Manette thinks that they should stay in Paris for a few days, just so that no one gets suspicious.
- With that, Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher set out on their errands.
- Lucie and her father stay downstairs for a minute.
- Suddenly, Lucie starts. She thinks she hears footsteps on the stairs.
- The doctor assures her that nothing can be wrong now. He’s saved Charles
- Sure enough, though, soldiers appear at the door.
- They ask for Charles. He’s been denounced by Saint Antoine.
- The doctor demands to know why he’s denounced.
- Soldiers reply that the doctor shouldn’t ask questions.
- If the Republic needs him to sacrifice his son-in-law, then he should do it happily. After all, it’s for the good of the Republic.
- Sound a little creepy? We think so, too.
- Finally, though, the soldier relents. Charles has been denounced by Monsieur and Madame Defarge…and one other.
- When the doctor asks who the other person is, the soldier stares at him for a minute.
- He doesn’t know?
