A Tramp Abroad — Volume 07 by Mark Twain
page 73 of 159 (45%)
page 73 of 159 (45%)
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dead-level of "fair-to-middling." There is nothing to
ACCENT it. Perhaps if the roast of mutton or of beef--a big, generous one--were brought on the table and carved in full view of the client, that might give the right sense of earnestness and reality to the thing; but they don't do that, they pass the sliced meat around on a dish, and so you are perfectly calm, it does not stir you in the least. Now a vast roast turkey, stretched on the broad of his back, with his heels in the air and the rich juices oozing from his fat sides ... but I may as well stop there, for they would not know how to cook him. They can't even cook a chicken respectably; and as for carving it, they do that with a hatchet. This is about the customary table d'ho^te bill in summer: Soup (characterless). Fish--sole, salmon, or whiting--usually tolerably good. Roast--mutton or beef--tasteless--and some last year's potatoes. A pa^te, or some other made dish--usually good--"considering." One vegetable--brought on in state, and all alone--usually insipid lentils, or string-beans, or indifferent asparagus. Roast chicken, as tasteless as paper. Lettuce-salad--tolerably good. |
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