little pleasure so dat you all see him. My son Zotique he now spick."

Had farmer Charest been a second "Mark Antony," the recognition of his
oratorical ability could not have been more marked. Certain it is that
that renowned orator could not have borne more becomingly the honors
showered upon him.

Very handsome Zotique looked as he rose, and he spoke in English which
fully justified the goodly remarks passed upon it by his father.
Vital's heart beat fast with pride as he looked at his handsome
brother, until it occurred to him how insignificant Katie White must
think him in comparison.

Before Zotique had spoken many words, he had completely won the hearts
of his hearers. Quite fluently he told them of the cities he had
visited in the States, and how a grocery clerk's life was one much to
be desired. He interspersed little jokes in his speech, at which he
laughed just as heartily and sincerely as his listeners. More than
once he was on the point of concluding, when a glance at Katie White's
sweet face incited him to fresh efforts.

It was a speech remembered and spoken of for many days.

Before the dancing began, farmer Charest declared, despite the
increasing and obvious restlessness of Magloire Meloche to get at the
fiddle, that they must have a speech, in English, from his eldest son
Vital. "And my son Vital, he has mak me a good son, if he do like to
tink alone too much, and sometime do forgetful ting." Very
affectionate was the look he gave Vital, who had been with him always,
and for whom it was not necessary to kill the fatted calf.