"When Jacques could move about the farm again, he went to check on the cheeses. Imagine his dismay at seeing them surrounded by apple cider! He called to Marie, who came running to see what was the matter. As usual, I was nearby, beneath a large table. 'It must have been Eloise,' he said, frowning.
"Marie suggested that they try the cheese. 'Who knows,' she said, 'it might even be good.' Jacques was skeptical, but agreed to taste some on a bit of bread. 'This is really good,' said Marie, and Jacques nodded his head in agreement. The following week, they experimented with several more batches, this time covering the cheeses completely with cider while they ripened.
"The nutty-flavored brown cheeses sold rapidly on market day, and as news of the new taste spread, business grew and grew. As the farm prospered, Marie and Jacques pampered me, feeling that somehow I was responsible for their good fortune. I do feel rather spoiled sometimes," she said, offering Tate the last morsel of the smoked salmon.