Sidney Meeks was not an ambitious man in large matters.

But he had taken immense comfort in toiling in a little vineyard behind his house, and also in making curious wines and cordials from many unusual ingredients.

Sidney had stored in his cellar wines from elder flowers, from elderberries, from daisies, from rhubarb, from clover, and currants, and many other fruits and flowers, besides grapes.

He was wont to dispense these curious brews to his callers with great pride.

But he took especial pride in a grape wine which he had made from selected grapes thirty years ago.