the last book I ever read (Cousin Bazilio by Jose Maria Eça de Queiroz, excerpt eight)

from Cousin Bazilio by Jose Maria Eça de Queiroz (Translated by Margaret Jull Costa):

Then an idea suddenly struck her:

‘Have you got any salt cod?’

‘Probably‚ possibly. But what a strange thing to ask. Why?’

‘Oh!’ Leopoldina exclaimed. ‘Have them make me a little bit of baked cod! My husband loathes it‚ the beast! I adore it! With oil and garlic!’ Then she stopped talking‚ as if annoyed. ‘Oh‚ damn!’ ‘

What?’

‘I can’t have garlic tonight.’