Having once commenced, Gorenflot could not stop. His appetite was enormous; he finished the bird, and then called to Boutromet. “M. Claude,” said he, “I am hungry; did you not offer me omelet just now?”
“Certainly.”
“Well, bring it.”
“In five minutes.”
“Ah!” said Gorenflot, “now I feel in force; if the omelet were here, I could eat it at a mouthful, and I swallow this wine at a gulp.” And he swallowed a quarter of the third bottle.
“Ah! you were ill before.”
“I was foolish, friend; that cursed discourse weighed on my mind; I have been thinking of it for days.”
“It ought to be magnificent.”
“Splendid.”
“Tell me some of it while we wait for the omelet.”