“What do you mean, monsieur?”
“That we never had such a thing before, Monsieur Bonneau, and that we don’t like it.”
“But what does it mean?”
“Look, monsieur, is this rabbit?”
Master Bonneau was thunderstruck when he saw the cup-and-ball covered with gravy.
“Here,” said Adeline, “take away your rabbit stew; what we found in it has taken away all desire to taste it.”
“Madame, I am really distressed at what I see! But you must realize that it is not my fault. If rabbits eat cups-and-balls——”
“Ah! this is too much; and if your fowl is no better than the rest, we shall have to go elsewhere to dine.”
The host left the room, without waiting to hear any more; he rushed back to the kitchen, crimson with rage, and began to pull Fanfan’s ears, to teach him to put cups-and-balls in his stews.
“What on earth is the matter, my dear?” Madame Bonneau asked her husband, as she brought him the plate containing the remedy for burns.