Precisely at noon the procession was finished. The curés, the choristers, the beadles, the women, children, townspeople, and pilgrims, mingled together, re-entered Haslach—some to sit down to a good dinner moistened with white wine, beer, and coffee; others to eat their provisions on the corner of a fountain, or on the stone bench outside a public-house.
The illustrious philosopher felt that the time to preach was come.
Coucou Peter, coming into the dining-room, said to him—
“Master, sit down at the head of the table; I’ll place myself on your right hand, to sustain the doctrine.”
Frantz Mathéus seated himself at the place pointed out to him by his disciple, at the head of the table, in front of the windows.
The room was very quickly filled by a crowd of people, come from all parts of Alsace and Lorraine—all worthy peasants who lodged at the Three Roses, and thought nothing of thirty sous for a good dinner. There were also some mountaineers, amongst whom were Dame Thérèse and Hans Aden; these seated themselves on the right of Coucou Peter, who took in his left hand the large horn-handled carving-knife and fork to cut up the joints.
Soup having been served, the dinner began in silence.
Dame Thérèse, with her child upon her knees, appeared very happy in being near Coucou Peter, who attended to her with the greatest care, and gave her the nicest pieces.
Now the news of Mathéus and his miracle having spread through Haslach, people from all quarters hastened to the Three Roses, and stared into the dining-room through the windows, demanding to see the prophet. Mother Jacob, from the doorstep, told them all that had happened, and the servants, left alone, were hardly able to serve the dinner. Katel hurried round the table, arranging the dishes, removing the plates, and replacing the emptied bottles; while Orchel brought the dishes from the kitchen.