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It is a beautiful custom! said Honor. I shall try to remember that, Gretli, all my life.
Gretlis smile was radiant as she tucked the blankets in around Honors shoulders.
Mademoiselle Honor would never speak evil of any one, it is most probable! she said. Yet to any of us since we are mortal, that may arrive. Our Zitli, for example; it is rarely oh, but very rarely that he has any such trouble as to-night. He is not strong, do you see, mademoiselle, and at Lucerne there are things that that it is better to forget! she concluded cheerfully. Since now he is so well, and suffers seldom and little by comparison, all that is gone. Look not mournfully into the past, it returns not! that is well said, not so? Good-night, my little demoiselle ! Sleep well, and all saints have you in their holy keeping!
CHAPTER IX STORY-TELLING
Gretli came out from the châlet, with her inevitable tray; it was time for goûter , she announced; a glass of buttermilk, a fresh roll, a bit of cheese. Like that, mademoiselle would not grow thin, was it not so?
Indeed, Gretli, I shall grow fat! cried Honor. So fat that I cant move, and shall have to stay here always. Wouldnt that be lovely? How I wish I could!
Gretli, arms akimbo, watching with satisfaction every mouthful Honor took, glowed responsive. For example! that would be a pleasure indeed for them; the honored Ladies, it was to be feared, would regard the matter differently. Ah! pardon! mademoiselle must not do that! unless the cheese was not to her taste?
Honor looked up wondering. It is delicious! she said. I was only taking out these green spots, Gretli.
But a thousand pardons, Mademoiselle Honor! The green spots, that is the best part of the cheese. He is an old one, you understand; ripe, but of a ripeness! I chose him with peculiar care, that mademoiselle might note the rich flavor that comes with age. With cheese as with man, my sainted mother used to say, the time of ripeness should be the best of life. Taste, then! but taste the green spot, mademoiselle! nest-ce pas? Am I not right?
Honor tasted the green cheese; gingerly at first, then with confidence, finally with eagerness.
And I have always cut it out! she lamented. Why did no one ever tell me before? It is the best part, of course!
Mademoiselle resembles the good Emperor! said Zitli, looking up with a smile.
For example! of a surety! exclaimed Gretli. Tell her that, Zitli. I have to prepare the soupe . She vanished into the house.
What do you mean, Zitli? asked Honor. Why am I like an emperor, and how? And what emperor?
The Emperor Charlemagne; who else? That great and good prince was fond of cheese, as was natural in a person of taste. There is an old story that traveling once through our beloved country, he came to the dwelling of a certain bishop and there took shelter for the night. The day was Friday; the good bishop was poor, the sea far off. Briefly, he had no fish. He served for the emperors supper some poor fry of vegetables, and
a piece of old cheese, with bread of the country, and good whey. The emperor, being in royal appetite, hurled himself, as one might say, upon the cheese, but seeing green spots in it, began even as mademoiselle just now, to pick them out with his knife. Thereupon the bishop, like our Gretli, made respectful protest, telling his sovereign that he was discarding the best part; like mademoiselle again, Charlemagne tasted and found this to be the case. Thereupon he commanded the bishop to send him yearly, at his palace of Aix-la-Chapelle, two cases of cheese of that same kind. And be sure that all have green spots! said the emperor.
But, Majesty, the bishop protested, how can I do that? It is only when a cheese is cut open that one can tell whether it has green spots or not!
Nothing is easier, replied the emperor, who saw an obstacle only to overcome it. Cut every cheese in two! When one has green spots, lay the two halves together, pack them up, and send them to me!
The amiable sovereign! a good cheese was to him the finest of all feasts.
Oh, splendid! cried Honor. Do you know any more stories about Charlemagne? He is one of my favorite heroes.
The boys face kindled, his eyes flashed.
Of mine also! he cried. So great a king, mademoiselle! so brave, so wise!
So kind and generous!
And so tenez ! ready always to laugh. He could conquer with a sword or a smile, as he would, is it not so? Mademoiselle knows the story of the mouse? No? Ah! that is a good one. There was a certain bishop, very different from that good poor prelate of the cheese. This one was vain and greedy, loving fine things, and caring more to feed his own stomach than the souls of his people. The good emperor marked this, and laid his plans accordingly. He called to him a certain Jewish merchant, who traded in rare and costly objects. Take, he said, a mouse alive in a trap; paint it all over with lively colors; then go to that bishop and offer it for sale, saying you have brought it from far Judea.
The Jew obeyed the royal command. The bishop at sight of the painted mouse was filled with joy, and offered three silver pounds for it; but the Jew replied he would rather throw it into the sea than sell it for such a price. The bishop then offered ten pounds, but no! then twenty; all in vain. The merchant made no further answer, but wrapping his mouse tenderly in a precious silk, turned his back to depart.