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From birds'-nest soup, which, by the way, is insipid, to shark's fin and bamboo shoots in rapid succession, we had it all. I thought each course would surely be the last; but finally we did get to sweet dishes, and I knew we were approaching the end. Then came the bowl of rice and tea, which are supposed to be able to neutralize the mess which has gone before.
"It is certainly unreasonable to bring little unfortunates into the world. But the thing is done every day, my dear Therese and all the philosophers on earth will never be able to reform the silly custom. Madame Coccoz has followed it, and she sings. This is creditable at all events! But, tell me, Therese, have you not put the soup to boil to-day?"
Walter had one evening, for his amusement, cut out a fork of bamboo for Alice, and his example had been followed by the rest of the party. The bamboo likewise made very fair dinner-knives; and he had contrived some spoons by putting a piece of wood at one end though, seeing they had as yet no soup for dinner, they were not of much use.
We had some soup made out of turtle, which is better'n you'd think, to look at a turtle. Afterward was fish I couldn't name. Then there was ducks and potatoes, cooked together so you couldn't tell 'em apart, and considerable other birds with things put on; and alfalfa, with kerosene on it, maybe.
As usual, there was a meat course to begin with, and Keith ate what for him was a big portion. Nor did he get into any trouble beyond having an extra large piece of hard bread put beside his plate by the father and finding the disposal of it rather difficult. The meat was followed by a large bowl of soup, and the very sight of it made Keith look unhappy a fact that did not escape his father.
"That's a lot of help, that 'ah'! You see, I'm pretty well dependent on the old boy. If he cut off my allowance, I should be very much in the soup. So you put the whole binge to Jeeves and see if he can't scare up a happy ending somehow. Tell him my future is in his hands, and that, if the wedding bells ring out, he can rely on me, even unto half my kingdom. Well, call it ten quid.
"Eat it quick, and then be off." The old keeper sat down at the table, and began to eat his soup, having first filled two plates and put them on the floor for the dogs. The Prussians, hearing voices, were silent. Long-legs set off a quarter of an hour later, and Berthine, with her head between her hands, waited. The prisoners began to make themselves heard again.
"But not soup in the evening. A little fish from what was left over yesterday, and some toasted cheese. That will be plenty. Just a tray." Miss Mapp went to the garden-room and sat at her window. "All so sudden," she said to herself. She sighed. "I daresay there may have been much that was good in Captain Puffin," she thought, "that we knew nothing about." She wore a wintry smile.
"Fact is, soup to me is just soup. I presume there are different kinds, but beyond knowing most of them from gruel I don't pretend to be a connoisseur." "What nonsense, Alexander!" said momma sternly.
It is the custom at informal dinners for the lady to help the soup and for the gentleman to carve; therefore the important dishes are put on the table. But the servants who wait should be taught to have sidetables and sideboards so well placed that anything can be removed immediately after it is finished. A screen is a very useful adjunct in a dining-room.
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