"my dear," said mr. lorry, striking in to explain; "there are frequent risings in the streets; and, although it is not likely they will ever trouble you, madame defarge wishes to see those whom she has the power to protect at such times, to the end that she may know them that she may identify them. i believe," said mr. lorry, rather halting in his reassuring words, as the stony manner of all the three impressed itself upon him more and more, "i state the case, citizen defarge?"