“Never mind, he who breaks the glasses pays for them; consequently he who breaks the eggs ought to pay for them.”
“Rabbit stew——”
“We found a cup-and-ball in it.”
“That doesn’t concern the rabbits. Besides, cup-and-ball isn’t capable of turning the sauce sour.—Let us go on: a capon——”
“Here it is, monsieur le maire; just feel it and smell it.”
The mayor motioned to Fanfan to approach; but the little scullion, abashed at the sight of so many people, held the plate forward with a trembling hand, and the fowl rolled on the floor.
The so-called capon made a sound like that of a child’s drum when it falls to the ground.
“Oho! it seems a little dry,” said the mayor, examining it.
“That’s because it was brought here in the sun,” said Bonneau; “that burned it just a bit.”
“Pardieu! I have my friend the notary here, who is a connoisseur in capons, so his wife tells me. I will get him to give me his opinion.”