Brandy Sauce

"How would you like to come over for dinner tonight?"

Wilber and Billy stood up as the House of Commons let out for the day. The hustle and bustle of all the occupants I the meeting hall as they dispersed echoed around the room, making it hard to hear. Wilber had to raise his voice to be heard.

"What's the occasion?"

"Does there have to be an occasion for friends to have dinner together?"

"No, but you normally don't offer your house. Usually we go to mine."

Billy shrugged. "I guess I'm in the mood to play host for a change. So will you come over?"

"I don't see why not. What time will dinner be ready?"

"Around five o'clock."

"Then I'll come earlier so we can talk."

"You do little else, Wilber," Billy complained. "Anyway, I have a meeting with Doulben over a game of cards. Wish me luck."

"You don't need my luck to win, Billy. Only rarely have I seen someone best you at cards. But good luck anyways."

"Thanks. Where are you off to?"

"Home. I'm giving Richard a hand with the animals. Oh, and we can't seem to find the hare. A door must have been left open or something."

"It's probably found itself a fine female hare, I would guess."

"One can only hope. But I'm more inclined to think some wild animal ate it. That's nature I suppose. I'll see you tonight."

"Until then." They parted ways and headed to their separate destinations. But as Billy turned his back, a small knowing smile touched the corners of his lips. He was thinking of how excellent dinner would be that night.

The other day as he had left the Wilberforce House, he had seen a large hare sitting by the side of the road, munching happily on a leaf, a quarter mile past the gate. He knew that hare.

So, never being one to have an opportunity pass him by, he instructed his driver to stop and pick up the hare. It was far too docile for its own good and hadn't presented a struggle. Billy was even able to hold it on the drive home.

Half an hour later he instructed his coach to cook to prepare the hare in brandy sauce the following night for dinner. It had plenty of meat on it to feed him and his friend.

Yes, dinner would be quite good that night.