“Excellent dishes,” said Tiet Nikonich kindly, “but heavy for the digestion.”
“To-morrow, Marfinka,” said the old lady, “we will entertain our guest with a gosling, pickled pork, carrots, and perhaps with a goose.”
“A goose, stuffed with groats, would be acceptable,” put in Raisky.
“Indigestible!” protested Tiet Nikonich. “The best is a light soup, with pearl barley, a cutlet, pastries and jelly; that is the proper midday meal.”
“But I should like groats.”
“Do you like mushrooms too, Cousin?” asked Marfinka. “Because we have so many.”
“Rather! Can’t we have them for supper tonight?”
In spite of Tiet Nikonich’s caution against this heavy food, Tatiana Markovna sent Marfinka to Peter and to the cook to order mushrooms for supper.
“If there is any champagne in the cellar, Granny, let us have a bottle up. Tiet Nikonich and I would like to drink your health. Isn’t that so, Tiet Nikonich?”
“Yes, to celebrate your arrival, though mushrooms and champagne are indigestible.”