"A large water bottle full of water lightly colored with wine attracted
my attention. Boivin, embarrassed, said to his wife:

"'See here, my dear, just on a special occasion, are you not going to
give us some plain wine?'

"She looked at him furiously.

"'So that you may both get tipsy, is that it, and stay here gabbing all
day? A fig for your special occasion!'

"He said no more. After the stew she brought in another dish of potatoes
cooked with bacon. When this dish was finished, still in silence, she
announced:

"'That is all! Now get out!'

"Boivin looked at her in astonishment.

"'But the pigeon--the pigeon you plucked this morning?'

"She put her hands on her hips:

"'Perhaps you have not had enough? Because you bring people here is no
reason why we should devour all that there is in the house. What is there
for me to eat this evening?'

"We rose. Solvin whispered

"'Wait for me a second, and we will skip.'