I did not choose to run any risk of my grand wine going down the throats of thirsty French soldiers.

It would be an act of sacrilege.

When matters are settled, and we are at peace again, I will pick out the mortar from the letters; but not till then.

I have often reflected since how short sighted it was not to have stowed away another hogshead for my own consumption.

It would have been something to have looked forward to in my declining years." "Ah, father, who knows what may happen before that?
The wall may fall down, and then naturally you would wish to see whether the wine is in as good a condition as it should be.