The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères (4 page)

Judge Le Whisk frowns. He wipes his mouth with his napkin. Every beady little eye in the room is on him—and he knows it.

“Chef Marcel, your soup was good before, but . . .”

“But what?” asks Chef Marcel.

“But this time, your new cheese soup is not only the best in France, but the best in all the world!
Félicitations
!”

Chef Marcel jumps for joy.

Then he bows.

“
Merci
Judge Le Whisk!”

His sons dance around the bistro.
“Three cheers for Petite Michelle! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!” Petite Michelle saves the day . . . and the soup!

As for Judge Le Whisk . . .

he asks for a second helping!

“
Merci
!” he says. “
La soupe est excellente!
”

(The Bistro of the Seven
Brothers and One Sister)