"Oh! we have provided for everything!" said Robineau; "the pole is smeared with honey."
"With honey," said Uncle Mignon; "ah! I understand, I understand; that’s for decency’s sake."
Two or three buxom girls came forward laughing, and walked around the pole, but did not venture, although Monsieur Férulus stood at the foot of the pole, offering his back to all those who cared to try. At last, one village girl made the attempt, and climbed a little way, then stopped, crying that she was stuck; and Monsieur Férulus, who was below, said to her:
"Don’t give it up—don’t be discouraged; it’s the way of life,—thorns in order to obtain roses; quid femina possit."
The peasant descended, licking the honey from her hands; another followed her, but was no more fortunate, although Monsieur Férulus still stood at the foot of the pole, to let them stand on his back and to encourage their efforts. Monsieur Berlingue declared that the librarian had the best place and could see better than the rest of the company.
But no one else came forward. In vain did Monsieur Férulus exclaim:
"There is a chance to win the Treatise on Participles, and the Cuisinière Bourgeoise."
The prizes seemed fated to remain suspended in the air, when suddenly Mademoiselle Cheval, who was watching the sports from the courtyard, keeping an eye upon her cooking the while, walked proudly toward Monsieur Férulus, saying:
"You say there is a cook-book to win! that’s my business; let me climb up, Monsieur Desânus, and I will bring the things down in a jiffy! Oh! I know how to play all kinds of games, I do!"
And, pushing aside the functionary, who offered to let her stand on his back, Mademoiselle Cheval put her arms about the pole, and worked her hands and knees so vigorously that she ascended at a rapid pace.