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CHAPTER VII
THE WISDOM OF
THOLOMYES
In the meantime, while some sang, the rest talked togeth-
er tumultuously all at once; it was no longer anything but
noise. Tholomyes intervened.
‘Let us not talk at random nor too fast,’ he exclaimed.
‘Let us reflect, if we wish to be brilliant. Too much impro-
visation empties the mind in a stupid way. Running beer
gathers no froth. No haste, gentlemen. Let us mingle maj-
esty with the feast. Let us eat with meditation; let us make
haste slowly. Let us not hurry. Consider the springtime; if it
makes haste, it is done for; that is to say, it gets frozen. Ex-
cess of zeal ruins peach-trees and apricot-trees. Excess of
zeal kills the grace and the mirth of good dinners. No zeal,
gentlemen! Grimod de la Reyniere agrees with Talleyrand.’
A hollow sound of rebellion rumbled through the
group.
‘Leave us in peace, Tholomyes,’ said Blachevelle.
‘Down with the tyrant!’ said Fameuil.
‘Bombarda, Bombance, and Bambochel!’ cried Listolier.
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