Page 66 - RotalTutor

eaten their fill, he said he had a special surprise. He returned to the ice house and came back with a big bowl of raspberries. He said they were the very first of the season, and he wanted her to taste something. He filled a smaller bowl with raspberries and poured milk over them. He then took honey candy, crushed it into small pieces, and sprinkled it on top, where it quickly melted. He pushed the bowl in front of her. She cautiously tasted it. When it touched her tongue, she squealed with delight. “That is wonderful!” Alexander looked pleased. “It’s not really something you would eat for dinner, but I happened on it one night when I snuck down here seeking a midnight snack. I was about six. Back then I used honey, but after I learned about honey candy from the Eastern trader, I liked it better. It’s also good on blackberries, currants and other things. I found out, though, that it takes a whole lot more than honey candy to make gooseberries edible.” She laughed to think of Alexander as a small boy sneaking down to the kitchen and making up his own snacks. “Did you do that often?” He blushed as he filled his own bowl with raspberries. “Still do.” She gasped. “You still do?” He nodded. “That’s the only way to get the really good stuff. You have to wait until everyone is in bed. It beats those fancy things they serve us at meal times.” She laughed again. The food that Alexander and his 64