PROPORTION OF PARTS

Being delivered into the charge of the maîtresse, I was led through a long

narrow passage into a foreign kitchen, very clean but very strange. It

seemed to contain no means of cooking— neither fireplace nor oven; I did

not understand that the great black furnace which filled one corner, was an

efficient substitute for these. Surely pride was not already beginning its

whispers in my heart; yet I felt a sense of relief when, instead of being left

in the kitchen, as I half anticipated, I was led forward to a small inner room

termed a "cabinet." A cook in a jacket, a short petticoat and sabots, brought

my supper: to wit— some meat, nature unknown, served in an odd and acid,

but pleasant sauce; some chopped potatoes, made savoury with, I know not

what: vinegar and sugar, I think: a tartine, or slice of bread and butter, and a

baked pear. Being hungry, I ate and was grateful.