Part 14 (2/2)
Preciozi could not permit the mortal effects of the Tarpeian Rock to be doubted, and he said that its height had been lessened and the level of the soil had risen.
After these explanations Caesar found the spot of Roman executions somewhat less fantastic.
”How would you like to go to that church in the Forum?” said Preciozi.
”I was going to propose that we should go to the hotel; it must be lunch-time.”
”Come along.”
_THE CHURCH AND COOKING_
Caesar had Marsala and Asti brought for the abbe, who was a gourmet.
While Preciozi ate and drank with all his jaws, Caesar devoted himself to teasing him. The waiter had brought some cream-puffs and informed them that that was a dish every one ate that day. Laura and Preciozi praised the puffs, and Caesar said:
”What an admirable religion ours is! For each day the church has a saint and a special dish. The truth is that the Catholic Church is very wise; it has broken all relations with science, but it remains in harmony with cooking. As Preciozi was a moment ago saying with great exact.i.tude, this close relation that exists between the Church and the kitchen is moving.”
”I said that to you?” asked Preciozi. ”What a falsehood!”
”Don't pay any attention,” said Laura.
”Yes, my dear abbe,” retorted Caesar, ”and I even believe that you added confidentially that sometimes the Pope in the Vatican gardens, imitating Francis I after the battle of Pavia, is wont to say sadly to the Secretary of State: 'All is lost, save faith and... good cooking.'”
”What a _bufone!_ What a bufone!” exclaimed Preciozi, with his mouth full.
”You are giving a proof of irreligion which is in bad taste,” said Laura. ”Only janitors talk like that.”
”On such questions I am an honourary janitor.”
”That's all right, but you ought to realize that there are religious people here, like the abbe....”
”Preciozi? Why, he's a Voltairean.”
”Oh! Oh! My friend....” exclaimed Preciozi, emptying a gla.s.s of wine.
”Voltaireanism,” continued Caesar. ”There is n.o.body here who has faith, n.o.body who makes the little sacrifice of not eating on Fridays in Lent.
Here we are, destroying with our own teeth one of the most beautiful works of the Church. You will both ask me what that work is....”
”No, we will not ask you anything,” said Laura, waving a hand in the air.
”Well, it is that admirable alimentary harmony sustained by the Church.
During the whole year we are authorized to eat terrestrial animals, and in Lent aquatic ones only. Promiscuous as we are, we are undoing the equilibrium between the maritime and the land forces, we are attacking the peaceful rotation of meat and fish.”
”He is a child,” said Preciozi, ”we must leave him alone.”
<script>