"A thousand thanks, Ma'm'selle," he presently said, "will ye
please tell Mo'sieu' Roussillon that I would wish to see 'im?"
"Yes, Oncle Jazon; but first be seated, and let me offer you just
a drop of eau de vie; some that Papa Roussillon brought back with
him from Quebec. He says it's old and fine."
She poured him a full glass, then setting the bottle on a little
stand, went to find M. Roussillon. While she was absent Oncle
Jazon improved his opportunity to the fullest extent. At least
three additional glasses of the brandy went the way of the first.
He grinned atrociously and smacked his corrugated lips; but when
Gaspard Roussillon came in, the old man was sitting at some
distance from the bottle and glass gazing indifferently out across
the veranda. He told his story curtly. Father Gibault, he said,
had sent him to ask M. Roussillon to come to the river house, as
he had news of great importance to communicate.
"Ah, well, Oncle Jazon, we'll have a nip of brandy together before
we go," said the host.
"Why, yes, jes" one agin' the broilin' weather," assented Oncle
Jazon; "I don't mind jes' one."
"A very rich friend of mine in Quebec gave me this brandy, Oncle
Jazon," said M. Roussillon, pouring the liquor with a grand
flourish; "and I thought of you as soon as I got it. Now, says I
to myself, if any man knows good brandy when he tastes it, it's
Oncle Jazon, and I'll give him a good chance at this bottle just
the first of all my friends.
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