" Drunk, if you like; so much the worse for those who fear wine, for it is because they have bad thoughts which they are afraid the liquor will extrac... from their hearts;" and Caderousse began to sing the two last lines of a song very popular at the time, --'Tous les mechants sont beuveurs d'eau; C'est bien prouve par le deluge.' ("The wicked are great drinkers of water As the flood proved once for all.")"You said, sir, you would like to help me, but"--"Yes; but I added, to help you it would be. “We need to get you to Zel, right away.”“I don’t understand. What’s happening?” The pain ripped through her again, causing her to gasp. It subsided, allowing her to walk on her own. She pushed away from Lily to go into the bathroom down the hall instead. Wondering if she would be sick, she started to lean over the toilet when she saw her reflection.Her hair was going gray.Mike woke up from his nap, rubbing his eyes and yawning. Tink was crashed out on the bed next to him, and Abella had folded. ”He waved to the others standing in the doorway, “I am just going to see to the reindeer, we’ll be along to breakfast shortly. Oh, Mother, Gramps and Grandma are coming to breakfast.”With that they turned and, arm in arm, followed the sleigh, which was being led away by an elf stable lad.“Oh, you are such a sight for sore eyes, Junior!” Jennifer said, “it’s been a very long night.”“I saw Beata standing with the others just now. Has Mother been a real bitch towards you?”“Well, a little bit. He was growing emotional, as he went on to say, “My youngest daughter Claire, or as I call her ‘CC,’ invited a very nice young man to be here today. His name is Charles Newman. He and his best friend Brian Fleming performed very admirably at our Family Games!”There was a smattering of applause. “I talked with this young man for a while today, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes back to next year’s Games along with Brian.”“Besides being excellent apple eaters, (pause for laughter) both boys.