"Do you know French?"
Jack bowed as he swallowed the claret. He swallowed unwisely. It was a lady's claret, and that and a lady's cigar are things to be avoided by the judicious. Indeed Jack was shaken from head to foot by a convulsive shudder. "Oh Lord!" said he involuntarily. But he pulled himself together like a man. "I beg pardon!—Know French? Very little. Marjoram—sweet Marjoram—how appropriate!"
Marjolaine was eyeing him with grave suspicion. "You are not drinking. It is Maman's claret!"
Jack gazed stonily at his half-empty tumbler. "Does she—does she take this for her health?"
"Yes. As medicine."
"As medicine—I understand."
"You said you were thirsty."
"It's a wonderful wine. Quenches your thirst at once." He put the glass away from him.
"Take some cake?" said Marjolaine.
She had forgotten to bring a knife, so Jack, sailorlike, broke the cake in two pieces.