Note that there are simple words and phrases in French and the context will make it understandable.
But there are more substantial sections where the speaker is speaking in French; you will find this in English in bold upright text. i.e. you will know that the speaker said the bold text in French. Hope all this is not too confusing but only a couple of the cousins speak English; Antoine is fluent.
Chapter 39 Antoine Meets Them (Dijon)
They were a little over an hour from their destination as dawn bloomed on the horizon. Vineyards stretched as far as the eye could see on both sides of the train in this region of Burgundy, where the red wine by the same name was king. There wouldn't be time for everyone to get dressed and pack up their belongings and still make it to breakfast in the dining car. So, Lucas had risen early to go and order tea and croissants to be brought to their compartment. He then checked in with Jack and Laura who had shared the sleeping compartment across the aisle from the one he shared with Elizabeth. He helped finish getting Jack dressed, as Laura collected all their belongings and set them by the door. She followed Lucas and Jack to where Elizabeth was now dressed and waiting.
Their breakfast soon arrived and the four chatted excitedly as they ate. Lucas was obviously eager to see his family again, but he was also eager to introduce them all to his bride and son. He had been them in with the names and relationships of the quite extensive family. Elizabeth had been making a family "tree" from what he had been telling them and he was helping her fill in the details. There were so many in the tree and she would not only be meeting the ones that lived at the family estate, but many others who would be begin arriving in a week or so for the wedding of Lucas's cousin George. He was the grandson of George Bouchard who was the eldest of the two sons that had first started Chateaux Bouchard near Poligny in the Franche-Comte Provence in eastern France.
"Papa, what are the names of the children you said I could play with?"
"Well there are several that live on the estate and then there are others that you will meet at the wedding. My cousin Pierre has four children; there is Pierre who is six years old, and then there is Anne and Charles who are four, and baby Jean who is three months old. Then my cousin Marcel has two children; Marcel is eleven and Yvonne is five. I think you will have a lot of fun meeting and getting to know them and more children at the wedding. There are many animals that live there too; there are chickens, ducks, cows, pigs, horses, sheep, goats and I am sure some dogs and cats too."
"Like Mr. Henderson's farm," Jack decided.
"Yes, there will be fresh eggs and milk and cheese. The cheese is very special and is one of the important products of the Poligny area. The cheese is made from the milk of special cows." Lucas told them.
"What makes them special?", inquired Laura.
"Well because they make the best cheese in all the world of course. Or so we will be reminded," Lucas chuckled. "My family will tell you all about the cheeses made in the area and they will show you the cows. But you will begin to see the cows for yourself, as we travel through the Comte."
Jack, who was still thinking about the animals interjected, "will there be puppies to play with?" He was missing Floppsie very much.
"Well, I don't know for sure Jack, but on a farm, there are often puppies and kittens, so I think there is a good chance," Lucas replied. "They often can be found in one of the barns, behind the piles of straw and hay where they can keep warm."
"Can we see them today?" asked Jack anxiously.
"As soon as we meet Antoine, you can ask him if there are any puppies or kittens, okay? Do you remember how to ask about dogs and cats in French?"
"Dog is chien and cat is chat," Jack announced proudly.
"Very good, Jack." Elizabeth had been listening to the conversation while going over the family tree she was making. Antoine was the grandson of Lucas Bouchard, the other brother that initiated Chateux Bouchard. He was unmarried and had been the one to invite Lucas to stay at the estate during their trip to Europe. She was very anxious to meet him, apparently, he was a charmer like his cousin Lucas, and witty as their own dear Gustave.
"So you can ask him if he has any dogs or cats."…. "Avez-vous des chiens ou des chats ?" said Elizabeth.
"How do you say puppy?" asked Jack. Elizabeth turned to Lucas as she wasn't sure.
"A puppy is called chiot and a kitten is a chaton."
"Avez-vous des chiots ou des chatons?" Jack said.
"Very good Jack." Lucas and Elizabeth said in unison. "Now you will be able to ask the children to show you."
"Will you please show me the puppies or kittens? Voulez-vous me montrer les chiots ou chatons s'il vous plait?" instructed Lucas.
Jack clapped excitedly as he repeated his Papa's sentence. "He was going to absorb the French language like a sponge." Lucas thought to himself. He turned and smiled at Elizabeth who was beaming with pride, and he could see the glistening in her eyes as the scene had alit her mama reflex. He squeezed her hand and announced, "we will be arriving in just a few minutes now; we have entered the city of Dijon." He pointed out the window so they could see the passing buildings.
"_
As they descended from the train, Elizabeth saw a smiling man on the platform waving. She could see the family resemblance to Lucas immediately. Not nearly as tall, but he had the dimples and smiling eyes that were signature Bouchard traits. Lucas spotted him too and rushed forward holding Jack's hand. Antoine embraced Lucas and then they kissed each other on both cheeks per French custom. "It is so wonderful to see you, Antoine!"
"And you too, Lucas. And who do we have here?", Antoine asked Jack as he took his hand to shake it."
"Jack." he replied, a bit shyly.
"Aaah Jacque, c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer jeune homme. Truly a pleasure to meet you young man."
"Avez-vous de chiots?" asked Jack. Antoine laughed merrily and scooped up jack into his arms and gave him a big kiss on his cheek. Lucas couldn't help but chuckle.
"Oui, ma of course! We have puppies and kittens and baby chickens and many other baby animals born this spring," Antoine told the boy.
"Can we go see them?" asked Jack anxiously.
Antoine laughed, "yes we will see them this afternoon, how does that sound?"
"Sooo good," Jack replied. Antoine chuckled as he put the boy down and turned to the two women who were approaching.
Laura arrived first and was introduced, "May I present our companion Miss Laura." Lucas said.
"A pleasure Miss Laura," Antoine replied and took her hand and bowed over it in a gesture as if to kiss it.
"I can see you haven't changed a bit Antoine, always the charmer," Lucas smiled.
"Well, when one sees a pretty girl….." Antoine winked and Laura blushed but looked pleased with Antoine's remark.
"And may I introduce my wife, Elizabeth" he said as he reached out and put his hand on her back.
Antoine took her hand as he said "Ma chere cousine, you are as beautiful as Lucas told me." He bowed and kissed her hand.
"And you, Antoine, are just as Lucas described you," she smiled brightly and stepped forward and offered him the traditional French greeting.
"It is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I was thinking since it is still early that I could give you a driving tour through Dijon so you can see some of the history, and then we could have lunch before our drive to the estate. The family is anxiously awaiting your arrival but know that I plan for us to arrive later in the afternoon." Antoine looked around at the group to see their reaction to his plan. He could see Elizabeth nod as she exchanged an unspoken question from Lucas.
Lucas responded, "that sounds like a wonderful plan. I have seen the city, but I never tire of it and the ladies are anxious to see all that they can. If you take us to that little bistro, we went to last time I was here, I know that the others will enjoy it. They make wonderful confections for dessert that will remind Jack of Gustave's sweets. He learned from the best."
"Certainement", replied Antoine. Old Madame Clairmont is still making her famous macarons although she leaves most of the work to her grandchildren who run the bistro now.
"My brother Marcel should be here any moment now; he drove one of the company vans so that he can transport your luggage. I think he will bring his son Marcel and his daughter Yvonne with him. They are very anxious to meet you, Jacque. We can have them join us for lunch."
Elizabeth was glad to be meeting some of the family now so that it would be less overwhelming later when they arrived in Poligny. "That sounds wonderful," Elizabeth said to Antoine.
"Yes, it does," interjected Laura shyly. "Thank you." Antoine nodded at her and looked over at Lucas.
"I see Marcel has arrived." Antoine pointed over at the van that was approaching. A man that also was clearly a Bouchard, but shorter and a bit more stout, came out of the van and then helped a little girl out from the passenger side. A young boy followed them.
"Bonjour Marcel, ils sont arrivés!"
Lucas came forward and leaned to kiss Marcel on both cheeks, " C'est tellement bon de vous voir." Antoine spoke perfect, if not accented, English but Marcel's command was limited, and the children did not speak any at all. This would be good practice for Elizabeth who knew French fairly well but could use more conversation. Laura was improving but still needed practice and Jack was a novice speaker but at his age he would learn quickly. He might be able to teach the young Bourchards some English vocabulary while he was visiting.
"Marcel, c'est ma femme, Elizabeth." Lucas said. Elizabeth immediately kissed the man on both cheeks and then turned to the children with a smile. "Vous devez être Yvonne et Marcel. C'est Jacque." She placed her hand on Jack's back and urged him forward. He put out his hand politely and shook young Marcel's hand and then his sister's.
"Bienvenue Jack c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer." The senior Marcel said and shook the little boy's hand too.
"Merci. Et vous aussi" said to Marcel and then looked up to his Papa. Lucas smiled to let him know that he had done a good job with one of the phrases he had been taught so far.
"Tre bien!" Marcel told Jack. The boy grinned back at the man.
Lucas introduced Laura to the group and then helped Antoine and Marcel load the van with their trunks and suitcases. "We have some shopping to do at the market, but we will meet you for lunch at noon," said Marcel.
"See you then," said Antoine,
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Antoine drove them around the city to give them the general lay of the land and then they decided to get out and walk a bit in the old city near Notre Dame Cathedral. They strolled along the Rue de la Verrerie, a road lined with buildings dating to medieval times, until they arrived at the church.
"We will save the visit inside for another day, but I want to show Jacque the owl on one of the corners," Antoine explained.
"Owls say hoot hoot," announced Jack.
"Oui, exactement," Antoine smiled at the little boy.
"The cathedral was built in the 13th century over 700 years ago. The owl is made of stone and was added to the cathedral over three hundred years ago. Legend has it that if you rub the owl's face with your left hand and make a wish it will come true." Antoine showed Jack which of his hands was his left. They continued around the old gothic cathedral until they reached the owl. It was placed about six feet above ground, so Lucas lifted the little boy so he could see it. The face of the owl was barely discernable from all the rubbing over the years.
"Make a wish in your mind, Jack. But don't tell anyone what it is, or it won't come true," Lucas told the little boy who nodded that he understood. He looked deep in thought for a minute and then he rubbed the owl.
"I hope my dream will come true."
"I hope so too," replied Lucas. "You can tell us when it does."
"Owls are symbols of wisdom," Antoine told them. "It goes back to the Greek Goddess of wisdom, Athena, who was represented by an owl in her animal form."
"I can't believe I am standing here next to this church that has been here for so many years hearing you speak about a link to ancient Greece," Laura said with awe.
"I know what you mean, Laura. "You will find as we travel that you will be continually amazed by history," said Elizabeth. "That is why I am so glad that you could come with us. Antoine, Laura was one of my students. She graduated a couple of years ago and has since been taking some classes. She takes care of Jack while I am at school and agreed to come with us to help with Jack during our travels. I am so glad that she joined us as it is a wonderful experience for her in return."
"I hope that we will enjoy your stay with us, Laura. Many of the others do not speak much English, so you will have plenty of practice with your French. We are all happy to show you the local area and culture. Please feel free to ask us for anything you want to know about," Antoine told her.
"Merci, Antoine, I am very grateful to be here," Laura answered.
"Antoine, we have about an hour before we meet with Marcel and the children. Might we stop by Molet et Petitjean on the way. I would like to buy some confections for afternoon tea today. I think Elizabeth, Laura and Jack will all love to taste Dijon's finest."
"Certainly, Lucas, we can make a stop along our way to the bistro. I am sure they will enjoy the wonderful scents of the shop," said Antoine. "Do you like sweets young man?"
"Oui, Gustave makes gateaux and biscuits and my favorite macarons."
"Aaah. Gustave, he is quite the chef and pastry master. He learned from the best right here in Dijon. He also studied in Paris for a time. You are very lucky to have him, Lucas."
"Yes, I consider myself very fortunate even though he can be quite frustrating at times. He loves to vex me and does so on many occasions."
"Does he still play the accordion?" asked Antoine.
"Oh, yes… more than you might imagine. He brings it out to entertain at every opportunity. Lucas looked over at Elizabeth who smiled widely as she thought of the times Gustave had chosen just the right time to interrupt a romantic moment in the attempt to entertain them.
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They entered the shop and as promised, the smell was tantalizing.
"Pain d'Espices, Bread of Spices, it is called," said Antoine.
"It is a specialty of Dijon that Gustave makes us at Christmas time, gingerbread," said Lucas. "Here you can buy it all year. "Mulot & Petitjean has made the Pain d'Espices since 1796.
"Yummy." Jack clapped his approval.
They wandered the old shop that was lined with wooden painted with whimsical patterns. They were filled with wonderful baked gingerbread loafs, mini cakes and other gingerbread confections. Jack's eyes were wide as he wandered around the shop. Lucas tried to keep up with him and as they approached one of the attendants standing in front of a glass case of treats, she caught his attention.
"May I help you?" asked the young lady.
"Oui, may I have two of those loaves and two dozen of these?" Lucas pointed at a display of mini gingerbread cakes. The young woman boxed his order and handed them to Lucas.
She took one of the mini cakes and looked at Lucas, "May I offer a nonnette to your son?"
"Certainly," he told her. "Jack, you may have the treat the nice lady is offering you."
Jack took the confection from the lady, "merci beaucoup" he said.
"Such nice manners he has," she said to Lucas.
"Merci, we are very proud of him," said Lucas.
"Is it good Jack?" asked Laura, to which Jack nodded as he continued to chew on his treat. "What is a nonnette?" Laura asked Lucas.
"It means little nun; I am not sure about the origin of the name."
"The little cakes were originally made by the nuns at the convent back in the middle ages," the clerk told them.
"Ah, that makes perfect sense," replied Lucas. "You have been very helpful, thank you."
"Merci. Au revoir, mademoiselle," said Antoine.
"Come back again," she replied and smiled at the group as Jack nodded with certainty. They would be back if he had anything to say about it.
They arrived at the bistro and found Marcel and the children already seated by the window overlooking a canal. Jack immediately went to the window and looked at the barges; some were making their way along the canal and others were being loaded or unloaded.
"Papa, look!" Said Jack excitedly.
"Yes, I see. Those are special boats called barges that are used to transport all sorts of things. Boxes of things for sale, materials to build with, even animals. See the chickens in the cages?"
"Yes, 'poulet'," exclaimed Jack.
"Yes Jack, you are right, we call chicken that we eat 'poulet'. These are hens; they lay eggs. We call a hen a 'poule'."
"Marcel, Yvonne, I am explaining to Jacque how to say 'poule' and 'poulet' in French. In English we say 'hen' and 'chicken'."
Marcel was shier than his younger sister who quickly repeated "hen"… "chicken".
"That is right!", exclaimed Jack. He thought for a moment and then repeated what his Papa would tell him, "C'est exact!"
The little girl smiled at him and patted the chair next to her for Jack to sit. Her brother sat on the other side. This was exactly what Lucas and Elizabeth had hoped for and their little boy was going to have the best time of his life. Lucas gave Elizabeth's hand a gentle squeeze before helping her into her chair.
Marcel said to the group, "do you mind if I order for the table? We will have a light lunch today as there is a magnificent dinner being prepared at the house."
"That sounds wonderful," Elizabeth chimed in. As long as you include some of the Comte cheese we have heard so much about."
Jack picked up on the word cheese. "Can we have the cheese from the special cows?" Then he added "Fromage" he translated cheese to French for Marcel.
Lucas added, "I was telling the group about how the cheese of Comte is made from special cows."
"Very special cows to make very special cheese," declared Marcel.
Young Marcel shyly turned to Jack and said, "Yvonne and I will show you the cows this afternoon."
Jack understood what he had said. He knew the word for 'show' as they had used it on the train this morning and he already knew 'cow' and 'afternoon'. "Merci, Marcel," he told the boy. "Vache… cow."
"Cow" replied Yvonne and Marcel in unison.
The senior Marcel looked at Elizabeth and Lucas, "soon I will be put to shame by my children,"he laughed.
Antoine interjected, "any time you wish to learn English I am at your disposal my brother. And your children will soon be able to teach you some words while Jack is with them. There is a saying in English, 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' but perhaps you are not such an old dog yet." At this Marcel began to laugh again. He then caught the attention of the waiter and gave him their lunch order.
Lucas, Elizabeth, Laura, and the brothers spoke in French about their travels so far and about some of the places they hoped to see during their visit to the area. Meanwhile Jack had decided to play both student and teacher as he would point at objects and say them in English and then Yvonne or Marcel would give him the French equivalent. Then they would test one another. Jack would point and say the word in French and the children would try to repeat the English word he had given them. Soon they had named all of the objects on or near their table as well as objects outside the window. Just as they had run out, the meal arrived which would give them a whole new source.
Marcel had ordered two types of wine, a red made locally and a white that came from the south of the neighboring Comte. He had ordered a couple of cheeses, both the Comte which was very much like Gruyere from the Swiss side of the Alps, along with another softer cheese called 'Morbier', which had a black vegetal horizontal layer down the middle. There was duck pate and sliced locally made sausage as well as a loaf of crusty bread. Jars of various types of Dijon mustard were added to the table as well as green olives prepared locally. Savory handheld pies filled with beef and cheese caught the attention of the children who all opted for those first. Marcel had also ordered some snails that he knew Lucas liked. Elizabeth tried them and declared them "delish" but Jack saw the snail shells and was sad for the creatures. But he did learn a new word 'escargot'. He also learned the word for mustard, 'moutarde' as this was a specialty of the area.
Yvonne tried to explain to Jack that the mustard was made from yellow flowers. "La moutarde est faite de fleurs jaunes," she said.
"Yellow flowers" he replied as he picked up on the words he knew…. "Fleur… flower…. jaune….. yellow." Yvonne was thrilled that he understood her and repeated the words in English.
They ended their meal with some of the pastries made at the bistro including Madame Clairmont's renowned macarons. Lucas went to pay his respects to her and introduced Elizabeth and Jack as well. It was then time to head to their new temporary home. Jack didn't want Yvonne and Marcel to leave and so Lucas agreed that he would go with Marcel in the truck. After all, they had years to catch up on. Laura would sit in the back of Antoine's car with Yvonne and Marcel, with Jack on her lap, while Elizabeth would sit in the front passenger seat. They were a bit cramped in back, but no one, not even Laura, seemed to mind. There were a lot of interesting things to see on the way and lots of words to learn. Laura helped with translating when needed and was glad to be playing teacher, something she loved to do.
Elizabeth listened to the conversation in the back, smiling to herself. She couldn't wait to expand her own family; she and Lucas had been using some measure of caution until they had had a chance to go on their summer voyage, but it would be soon time to throw caution to the wind as they hoped for a new little one this coming Spring. She hoped they would be so blessed, and she knew Lucas tried to downplay his excitement in the event it didn't happen for them. But he was secretly nurturing the idea of having more children to love; he certainly had so much of it to give.
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