Вино из одуванчиков

           Quiet,quiet,theboarderslaidthebestlinensandgleamingsilverandlitcandlesratherthanswitchonelectriclightsandsnapthespell.

           Grandfather,arrivinghomefromalateevening’sworkattheprintingoffice,wasstartledtoheargracebeingsaidinthecandlelitdiningroom.

           Asforthefood?Themeatsweredeviled,thesaucescurried,thegreensmoundedwithsweetbutter,thebiscuitssplashedwithjeweledhoney;everythingtoothsome,luscious,andsomiraculouslyrefreshingthatagentlelowingbrokeoutasfromapasturageofbeastsgonewildinclover.Oneandallcriedouttheirgratitudefortheirloose-fittingnightclothes.

           Atthree-thirtyonSundaymorning,withthehousewarmwitheatenfoodandfriendlyspirits,Grandfatherpushedbackhischairandgesturedmagnificently.FromthelibraryhefetchedacopyofShakespeare.Helaiditonaplatter,whichhepresentedtohiswife.

           "Grandma,"hesaid,"Iaskonlythattomorrownightforsupperyoucookusthisveryfinevolume.Iamcertainweallagreethatbythetimeitreachesthetabletomorrowattwilightitwillbedelicate,succulent,brownandtenderasthebreastoftheautumnpheasant."

           Grandmaheldthebookinherhandsandcriedhappily.

           Theylingeredontowarddawn,withbriefdesserts,winefromthosewildflowersgrowinginthefrontyard,andthen,asthefirstbirdswinkedtolifeandthesunthreatenedtheeasternsky,theyallcreptupstairs.Douglaslistenedtothestovecoolinginthefarawaykitchen.HeheardGrandmagotobed.

           Junkman,hethought,Mr.