Mr. Perrault's Table Had A Wide Reputation, And Although He Never Issued
General Invitations, It Was Rarely Without Two, Or More, Guests, For Those
Who Happened To Be At The Asyle At Meal Time Were Cordially Invited
To Join In The Family Repast.
From taste and habit, his board ever
presented a tempting display; but, as regards himself, he was most
abstemious, partaking sparingly and of but few dishes, while to his guests
his hospitality was unbounded.
His old cook sometimes found her task
hard, or pretended to; and on one occasion, returning from confession, she
remarked that she had said to M. le Cure, when he counselled patience and
submission, "je voudrais bien vous y voir," (I would like to see you in
my place). Even in those days cooks were testy, for, when Mr. Perrault
found fault with her, she would answer as impertinently as one could in
these days: "voulez-vous que je vous dise la verite? Vous commencez a
etre degoute de ma cuisine," (Do you want me to tell you the truth? You
are getting tired of my cooking). To the tried and impatient, the above
incidents will cause them to ask themselves if there be any truth in the
old saying: "God sent us food and the devil sent us cooks."
A custom illustrative of the habits of that period, was the visit of
relations on New Year's morning. Old and young presented themselves at
five o'clock and repaired in a file to Mr. Perrault's bedroom to receive
his blessing.
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