Now that you have presented this dreadful idea it will be ever in my mind.

I shall no longer think of my hogshead with unmixed satisfaction." "The idea is a terrible one, truly," Jack said gravely, "and to prevent it I would advise you when the time of peace arrives to open your cave, to bottle off your wine, and to secure its being appreciated by indulging in it yourself on special occasions and holidays, taking care always to leave a store equal to, or even superior to, that which you yourself inherited." "I will think it over, my son, and it may be that I shall take your advice.

Such a misfortune as that which you have suggested is too terrible to think of." "It is so, father, terrible indeed; and I feel confident that you will do the best in your power to prevent the possibility of its occurrence.
Besides, you know, wine may be kept even too long.

I judge you not to be more than forty-five now; with so good a cook and so good a cellar you may reasonably expect to live to the age of eighty; there is, therefore, plenty of time for you to lay in another hogshead to mature for your successor." The priest burst into a roar of laughter, in which Jack joined him.
"Your reasoning powers are admirable," he said when he recovered his gravity, "and you have completely convinced me.

An hour ago if it had been suggested to me that I should open that cellar I should have viewed the proposal with horror; now it seems to me that it is the very best thing that could be done for all parties, including the wine itself." There was some further chat as to the course which Jack would follow in the morning, and he decided finally to ride to the borders of Castile in order that he might learn as much as possible as to the feeling of people in that province.