her, for here at long last was someone in Saint Loup
who accorded her news deferential treatment.
Presently the little violinist stopped playing and
Mere Melanie called him over to the table: 'Alexandre!
Come here and listen to this! Madame's son will go
to the Grand Seminaire at Versailles and the Comtesse
de Berac will pay, because Monsieur le Cure finds him
so brilliant. Ah, what a joy! The child may become
a bishop! Madame must indeed be a proud and glad
mother/ And she ventured to press her client's plump
hand: 'Alexandre, go and fetch us a bottle of porto!'
So the little violinist with the hump on his back
went and fetched the port wine, and three very large
glasses which Mere Melanie generously filled to their
brims.
*VotJ sante, Madame!5 she said, raising her glass.
*Vot5 sante!5 echoed the little violinist.
cSante, monsieur-et-dameP bowed Madame Roustan,
The glasses were emptied and quickly refilled, for
Mere Melanie must drink to the future bishop: CA
votre fils, a Teveque!5 she announced solemnly.
CA Peveque!5 gravely echoed the little violinist.
'Amonbiencher Jan/ murmured Madame Roustan.
Then the little violinist with the hump on his back
wished to drink to the noble and pious benefactress:
4A Madame la Comtesse de Berac!' he exclaimed,
inclining his head through respect for the lady.
So Madame Roustan must again fill her glass in
order to drink to the Comtesse de Berac.
Quite naturally all this bowing and scraping had
attracted the attention of the other clients, and now
a hefty young sailor-man loudly demanded to be
told what was happening.
'Is our Mere Melanie about to be married? Because
if she is I also will drink wine.3 And he flung himself
down at Mere Melanie's side; 'Gargon, bring four
bottles of porto!5 he commanded.
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