"It is merely the gluten with which they are fastened together, so to speak, by the birds, which renders them agreeable. The Chinese
like rats, and in this we agree with them. Well dressed, stuffed with chestnuts or olives, and roasted, they are delicious."
Leo made a wry face.
"Ah! you are not cosmopolitan."
"What is that?"
"A citizen of the world, a person free from national prejudices. Ah, these words are long for you; I will try to be simple: you have not learned to eat everything that is good."
"But rats are not good; they are vermin."
"Bah! yes, because you let them feed like your hogs on anything. We do better; we pen them, and give them grain until they are fat and sweet, and make them eatable."
Leo could not disguise his dislike, so Knops, shrugging his shoulders, did not attempt any longer to convince him, but said,
"Are you interested in what I have shown you?"