Daddy Taille blew his nose with the noise of a trombone,
and old Touchard brandished a whole loaf half over
the table, and the cook shed silent tears on the crust
which she was still holding.
Amid the general emotion Monsieur Sauvetanin said:
“That is the right sort of song; very different
from the nasty, risky things one generally hears at
weddings.”
Anna, who was visibly affected, kissed her hand to
her sister and pointed to her husband with an affectionate
nod, as if to congratulate her.
Intoxicated by his success, the young man continued,
and unfortunately the last verse contained words about
the “bread of dishonor” gained by young
girls who had been led astray. No one took up
the refrain about this bread, supposed to be eaten
with tears, except old Touchard and the two servants.
Anna had grown deadly pale and cast down her eyes,
while the bridegroom looked from one to the other
without understanding the reason for this sudden coldness,
and the cook hastily dropped the crust as if it were
poisoned.
Monsieur Sauvetanin said solemnly, in order to save
the situation: “That last couplet is not
at all necessary”; and Daddy Taille, who had
got red up to his ears, looked round the table fiercely.
Then Anna, her eyes swimming in tears, told the servants
in the faltering voice of a woman trying to stifle
her sobs, to bring the champagne.
All the guests were suddenly seized with exuberant
joy, and all their faces became radiant again.
And when old Touchard, who had seen, felt and understood
nothing of what was going on, and pointing to the guests
so as to emphasize his words, sang the last words
of the refrain:
“Children, I warn you all to eat not of that
bread,” the whole company, when they saw the
champagne bottles, with their necks covered with gold
foil, appear, burst out singing, as if electrified
by the sight:
“Children, I warn you all to eat not of that
bread.”
The marriage of Maitre Simon Lebrument with Mademoiselle
Jeanne Cordier was a surprise to no one. Maitre
Lebrument had bought out the practice of Maitre Papillon;
naturally, he had to have money to pay for it; and
Mademoiselle Jeanne Cordier had three hundred thousand
francs clear in currency, and in bonds payable to
bearer.
Maitre Lebrument was a handsome man. He was stylish,
although in a provincial way; but, nevertheless, he
was stylish—a rare thing at Boutigny-le-Rebours.
Mademoiselle Cordier was graceful and fresh-looking,
although a trifle awkward; nevertheless, she was a
handsome girl, and one to be desired.
The marriage ceremony turned all Boutigny topsy-turvy.
Everybody admired the young couple, who quickly returned
home to domestic felicity, having decided simply to
take a short trip to Paris, after a few days of retirement.
This tete-a-tete was delightful, Maitre Lebrument
having shown just the proper amount of delicacy.
He had taken as his motto: “Everything comes
to him who waits.” He knew how to be at
the same time patient and energetic. His success
was rapid and complete.
