Post by jacques on Jan 26, 2021 20:23:43 GMT
"You wanted to see me Mama?"
"Qui Henri. Please sit down. You have grown up so fast! You are so tall and strong and it both delights my heart and saddens it at the same time."
"Saddens it?"
"Qui for it means that the time has come for you to live your own life apart from those of us who love you so dear. Would that we could keep you near, but this manor can support only a few mouths. Your brother deserves to marry and start his family, and so Henri you must depart so that there will be enough once he weds Suzanne."
"I know Mama, I have always known, but I am not sure I am ready."
"None of us are ready, but it is upon us nonetheless. What do you suppose you will do?"
"Make my way to Paris of course, why would a fellow like me do anything else?"
Frowning, "There is more to life than wine and women Henri."
"Of course there is more but the rest can wait until I am an old man."
Laughing, "Henri you are your father's son so of course this is what I expected. When we married my family dowered me with furniture and a silver place setting. Over the years we have sold off much of these things but the spoons are left. It is not much but they will fetch a few coins. Your Papa and I have talked about your future from time to time. His fondest wish is to see you rise to loftier heights than he accomplished. His heart would sing with joy if you were to become a Baron here in Burgundy with an estate large enough so that you would not have to toil in the fields like he has always had to do."
"It would be wonderful to see both of you old and fat, drinking my wine in front of a large fireplace in my house. I think that is a dream that we all share."
"Don't forget the grandchildren, Henri. Old, fat, drinking wine in front of the fireplace while our grandchildren play on the floor. Lots and lots of grandchildren."
"Qui Mama lots of grandchildren. Who knows, I may even marry one of their mothers."
"You young scoundrel!", she said lightly boxing his ears. "Enough for now. We will have a fine meal tonight and a good breakfast tomorrow, then you will be on your way. For now go down to the barn and help with the repairs. I want to be alone to do some crying."
Henri's eyes were wet with a few tears as well when he dutifully rose to leave his mother to her thoughts; knowing that it would be a long time before they spoke like this again.
"Qui Henri. Please sit down. You have grown up so fast! You are so tall and strong and it both delights my heart and saddens it at the same time."
"Saddens it?"
"Qui for it means that the time has come for you to live your own life apart from those of us who love you so dear. Would that we could keep you near, but this manor can support only a few mouths. Your brother deserves to marry and start his family, and so Henri you must depart so that there will be enough once he weds Suzanne."
"I know Mama, I have always known, but I am not sure I am ready."
"None of us are ready, but it is upon us nonetheless. What do you suppose you will do?"
"Make my way to Paris of course, why would a fellow like me do anything else?"
Frowning, "There is more to life than wine and women Henri."
"Of course there is more but the rest can wait until I am an old man."
Laughing, "Henri you are your father's son so of course this is what I expected. When we married my family dowered me with furniture and a silver place setting. Over the years we have sold off much of these things but the spoons are left. It is not much but they will fetch a few coins. Your Papa and I have talked about your future from time to time. His fondest wish is to see you rise to loftier heights than he accomplished. His heart would sing with joy if you were to become a Baron here in Burgundy with an estate large enough so that you would not have to toil in the fields like he has always had to do."
"It would be wonderful to see both of you old and fat, drinking my wine in front of a large fireplace in my house. I think that is a dream that we all share."
"Don't forget the grandchildren, Henri. Old, fat, drinking wine in front of the fireplace while our grandchildren play on the floor. Lots and lots of grandchildren."
"Qui Mama lots of grandchildren. Who knows, I may even marry one of their mothers."
"You young scoundrel!", she said lightly boxing his ears. "Enough for now. We will have a fine meal tonight and a good breakfast tomorrow, then you will be on your way. For now go down to the barn and help with the repairs. I want to be alone to do some crying."
Henri's eyes were wet with a few tears as well when he dutifully rose to leave his mother to her thoughts; knowing that it would be a long time before they spoke like this again.