CHAPTER 



MUSHROOMS 



WHILE they wore talking about insects and 

 flowers, time had slipped by until the Sun- 

 day arrived when Uncle Paul was to tell about mush- 

 rooms. The gathering was larger than the first 

 time. The story of poisonous plants had been re- 

 peated in the village. Some people in a rut, content 

 with tlu-ir stupid ignorance, had said: "What is 

 the use of it I" "The use!" replied the others; "it 

 teaches one to beware of poisonous plants, so as not 

 to die miserably like poor Joseph." But those in 

 the rut had tossed their heads with a satisfied air. 

 Nothing is so sufficient unto itself as folly. So only 

 willing listeners came to Uncle Paul. 



"Of all poisonous plants, my friends," he began, 

 "mushrooms are the most formidable; and yet some 

 furnish a delightful food capable of tempting the 

 sol 



"For my part," observed Simon, "I acknowledge, 

 nothing is equal to a dish of mushrooms." 



"Nobody will accuse you of gluttony, for, as I 

 have just said, mushrooms can tempt the soberest. 

 I do not wish to discourage their use. 1 know too 

 well what a resource they ,-nv in the country: I sim- 

 ply propose to put you on your guard against tin 

 poisonous kinds." 



"You are goin- to tench us to distinguish the 

 good from the bad!" nsk< <! Mathieu. 



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