two partridges Quotes

“The partridges struggle frantically. They flap their wings and send feathers flying. They simple refuse to die. He’d find it easier to strangle a friend. He wedges them between his knees to hold them still. Red and white by turns, bathed in sweat, head hight to avoid seeing, he squeezes harder.”

“As usual, Monsieur Lepic empties his game bag on the table. It contains two partridges. Big brother Felix marks them down on the slate that hangs on the wall. That is his chore. Each of the children has one. Sister Ernestine cleans and plucks the birds.”