“Come and help me!” he said to Jabina. “The General is becoming impatient. The innkeeper is serving drinks to other travellers and I cannot get this old woman to bestir herself.”
“I will help her,” Jabina said.
She politely proffered assistance, which was gratefully accepted, and soon the old woman, who she discovered was the innkeeper’s mother, had handed over to her the making of an omelette, while she herself prepared a coq au vin and the cold meats which were to follow on the menu.
“Go and lay the table!” Jabina said to the Duke. “Give the General plenty of drink to keep him in a good temper.”
“I have been doing that already,” the Duke said with a smile.
But he obeyed Jabina and when he came back the omelette was ready.
Jabina turned it out onto a plate and said,
“Hurry! Make hi
