He Chortled

I suggested earlier that Puglia majored in vegetables, with meat a subsidiary module. There was certainly not much meat in evidence in the market in Ostuni, but a short walk around several corners led us to a serious butcher. The refrigerated counter included horse, sausages, goat, beef and pork, all of apparently peerless quality. On the shelf behind was a range of salami, with one made from donkey eliciting special interest from members of our party.

Despite this plenitude, I was on a mission. I wanted rabbit. My request was met in the most affirmative terms. There was a little chortle from a gentleman in a corner of the shop. I was shown a magnificent plump rabbit. After consultation with my host I resolved that we needed three such beauties. The gentleman in the corner chortled even louder, and might even have stamped his foot with pleasure. I asked what provoked this glee. He was the supplier and had only brought them in this morning. When did he kill them? This morning, of course, all twenty of them. Since it was still only half past ten in the morning, those bunnies must have met their fate before sunrise but, judging by their condition, hitherto they must have lived quite happy lives.