Page:The Story of the Treasure Seekers.djvu/224

186 Then Oswald quickly took the glass from Alice, and held it out to him, and said, "I want your opinion on that."

"On that," he said. "What is it?"

"It is a shipment," Oswald said; "but it's quite enough for you to taste." Alice had filled the glass half-full; I suppose she was too excited to measure properly.

"A shipment?" said the clergyman, taking the glass in his hand.

"Yes," Oswald went on; "an exceptional opportunity. Full-bodied and nutty."

"It really does taste rather like one kind of Brazil-nut." Alice put her oar in as usual.

The Vicar looked from Alice to Oswald, and back again, and Oswald went on with what he had learned from the printing. The clergyman held the glass at half-arm's-length, stiffly, as if he had caught cold.

"It is of a quality never before offered at the price. Old Delicate Amoro&mdash;what's it's name&mdash;"

"Amorolio," said H. O.

"Amoroso," said Oswald. "H. O., you just shut up&mdash;Castilian Amoroso&mdash;it's a true after-dinner wine, stimulating and yet ..."

"Wine?" said Mr Mallow, holding the glass further off. "Do you know," he went