1931 The Art of Drinking More by Dexter Mason

TIPPLE AND SNACK

THE ARTISTRY OF EATING "Mais oui ! But you Americans don't know any– thing about eating," said M. Morisot who had reported to my company the day before as Liaison Officer. As I had not known what to do with him, I gave him a tin hat, a mess-kit, and a horse, and treated him like a pal. His remark that the Americans did not know any– thing about eating had been prompted by a cup of bilge-water coffee from the company kitchen in the little farm house where we were billeted close by the Marne. "You must let me cook you a meal," continued Morisot. "Lieutenant Elkins has told me that to– morrrow is your birthday. Why not have a little fete, and I will be the chef?" "I doubt if you can do much in the way of a fete with the army rations," I laughed. "Possibly I surprise you. What do you say?" "I'm on. Elkins, tell the mess sergeant to issue Lieutenant Morisot raw rations, and send the orderly to Viffort for some good wine." The next evening we sat down around our packing-case table in the court-yard of the farm– house to sample Morisot's creations. I have eaten fi!,et de barbue a la M onwy at Prunier's, and a [ 3 ]