Here her invention gave out, and rubbing the top of de Meneval’s head with one of the champagne bottles, she added, laughing:

“Houp-là!”

That “Houp-là” almost drove de Meneval to distraction, but a roar of applause, in which all joined except her husband and Papa Bouchard, encouraged Léontine to continue. After a few moments’ reflection she began singing again:

“This is the way in Champagne Land!

Oh, Champagne Land is dear to me,

But Champagne Land is queer to me.

There, lobsters grow on trees,

There is a mine of cheese;

The oysters walk,

The cocktails talk,