\"Mafoi,\"saidtheslatternlylandladytoMadameLaurentandMicheloneday,\"Inoseehowshelive!Eat?Nothin’,nothin’,almos’,andlas’nightwhenitwassocoldandfoggy,eh?Ihav’
tomekhimbuildfire。Shemos’freeze。\"
WhereupontherumourspreadthatMissSophiewasstarvingherselftodeathtogetsomelucklessrelativeoutofjailforChristmas;
arumourwhichenvelopedherscraggylittlefigurewithakindofhalototheneighbourswhensheappearedonthestreets。
NovemberhadmergedintoDecember,andthelittlepileofcoinswasyetfarfromthesumneeded。DearGod!howthemoneydidhavetogo!Therentandthegroceriesandthecoal,though,tobesure,sheusedapreciousbitofthat。Wouldalltheworkandsavingandskimpingdogood?Maybe,yes,maybebyChristmas。
ChristmasEveonRoyalStreetisnoplaceforaweakling,fortheshoutsandcarouselsoftheroistererswillstrikefearintothebravestones。Yetamidthecriesandyells,thedeafeningblowofhornsandtinwhistles,andthereallydangerousfusilladeoffireworks,alittlefigurehurriedalong,onehandclutchingtightlythebatteredhatthattherudemerry—makershadtornoff,theothergraspingunderthethinblackcapeawornlittlepocketbook。
IntotheMontdePietesheranbreathless,eager。Theticket?
Here,worn,crumpled。Thering?Itwasnotgone?No,thankHeaven!Itwasajoywellworthhertoil,shethought,tohaveitagain。
HadTitichenotbeenshootingcrackersonthebanquetteinsteadofpeeringintothecrack,aswashiswont,hisbig,roundblackeyeswouldhavegrownsaucer—widetoseelittleMissSophiekissandfondlearing,anuglyclumsybandofgold。
\"Ah,dearring,\"shemurmured,\"onceyouwerehis,andyoushallbehisagain。Youshallbeonhisfinger,andperhapstouchhisheart。Dearring,macherepetitedemacoeur,cheriedemacoeur。Jet’aime,jet’aime,oui,oui。Youarehis;youweremineoncetoo。To—night,justonenight,I’llkeepyou——then——to—morrow,youshallgowhereyoucansavehim。\"
Theloudwhistlesandhornsofthelittleonesroseonthebalmyairnextmorning。NoonewoulddoubtitwasChristmasDay,evenifdoorsandwindowswereopenwidetoletincoolair。Why,therewasChristmasevenintheverylookofthemulesonthepokycars;therewasChristmasnoiseinthestreets,andChristmastoysandChristmasodours,savouryonesthatmadethenosewrinkleapprovingly,issuingfromthekitchen。MichelandMadameLaurentsmiledgreetingsacrossthestreetateachother,andthesalutationfromapasser—byrecalledthemany—progeniedlandladytoherself。
\"MissSophie,well,po’soul,notver’muchChris’masforher。
Mais,I’lljus’callhiminfo’tospen’thedaywithme。Eet’llcheerherabit。\"
Itwassocleanandorderlywithinthepoorlittleroom。Notaspeckofdustoralitterofanykindonthequaintlittleold—timehighbureau,unlessyoumightexceptasheetofpaperlyingloosewithsomethingwrittenonit。Titichehadevidentlyinheritedhispryingpropensities,forthelandladyturneditoverandread,——
LOUIS,——Hereisthering。Ireturnittoyou。Iheardyouneededit。Ihopeitcomesnottoolate。SOPHIE。
\"Thering,where?\"mutteredthelandlady。Thereitwas,claspedbetweenherfingersonherbosom,——abosomwhiteandcold,underacoldhappyface。ChristmashadindeeddawnedforMissSophie。
SISTERJOSEPHA
SisterJosephatoldherbeadsmechanically,herfingersnumbwiththeaccustomedexercise。Thelittleorgancreakedadismal\"O
Salutaris,\"andshestillkneltonthefloor,herwhite—bonnetedheadnoddingsuspiciously。TheMotherSuperiorgaveasharpglanceatthetiredfigure;then,asasuddenlurchforwardbroughtthelittlesisterbacktoconsciousness,Mother’seyesrelaxedintoagenuinesmile。
Thebelltolledtheendofvespers,andthesombre—robednunsfiledoutofthechapeltogoabouttheireveningduties。LittleSisterJosepha’sworkwastoattendtothehouseholdlamps,buttheremusthavebeenasmuchoilspilleduponthetableto—nightaswasputinthevessels。Thesmallbrownhandstrembledsothatmostofthewicksweretrimmedwithpointsatonecornerwhichcausedthemtosmokethatnight。
\"Oh,cherSeigneur,\"shesighed,givinganimpatientpolishtoarefractorychimney,\"itiswickedandsinful,Iknow,butIamsotired。Ican’tbehappyandsinganymore。Itdoesn’tseemrightforlebonDieutohavemeallcoopedupherewithnothingtoseebutstrayvisitors,andalwaysthesameoldwork,teachingthosemeanlittlegirlstosew,andwashingandfillingthesameoldlamps。Pah!\"Andshepolishedthechimneywithasuddenvigorousjerkwhichthreateneddestruction。
Theywererebelliousprayersthattheredmouthmurmuredthatnight,andarestlessfigurethattossedontheharddormitorybed。SisterDominicacalledfromhercouchtoknowifSisterJosephawereill。
\"No,\"wasthesomewhatshortresponse;thenamuttered,\"Whycan’ttheyletmealoneforaminute?Thatpale—eyedSisterDominicaneversleeps;that’swhysheissougly。\"
Aboutfifteenyearsbeforethisnightsomeonehadbroughttotheorphanasylumconnectedwiththisconvent,duSacreCoeur,around,dimpledbitofthree—year—oldhumanity,whoregardedtheworldfromapairofgravelytwinklingblackeyes,andonlytookachubbythumboutofarosymouthlongenoughtoanswerinmonosyllabicFrench。Itwasachildwithoutanidentity;therewasbutonenamethatanyoneseemedtoknow,andthat,too,wasvague,——Camille。
Shegrewupwiththerestofthewaifs;scrapsofFrenchandAmericancivilizationthrowntogethertodevelopaseeminglyinconsistentminiatureworld。MademoiselleCamillewasaqueenamongthem,aprettylittletyrantwhoruledthechildrenanddominatedthemoretimidsistersincharge。
Onedayanawakeningcame。Whenshewasfifteen,andalmostfullyripenedintoaglorioustropicalbeautyofthetypethatmaturesearly,somevisitorstotheconventwerefascinatedbyherandaskedtheMotherSuperiortogivethegirlintotheirkeeping。
Camillefledlikeafrightenedfawnintotheyard,andwasonlyunearthedwithsomedifficultyfrombehindagroupofpalms。
Sulkyandpouting,shewasledintotheparlour,pickingatherbluepinaforelikeaspoiledinfant。
\"Theladyandgentlemanwishyoutogohomewiththem,Camille,\"
saidtheMotherSuperior,inthelanguageoftheconvent。Hervoicewaskindandgentleapparently;butthechild,accustomedtoitsvariousinflections,detectedasteelyringbehinditssoftness,liketheproverbialironhandinthevelvetglove。
\"Youmustunderstand,madame,\"continuedMother,instiltedEnglish,\"thatweneverforcechildrenfromus。Weareevergladtoplacethemincomfortable——howyousaythat?——quarters——maisons——homes——bien!Butwewillnotmakethemgoiftheydonotwish。\"
Camillestoleaglanceatherwould—beguardians,anddecidedinstantly,impulsively,finally。Thewomansuitedher;buttheman!Itwasdoubtlessintuitionofthequick,vivacioussortwhichbelongedtoherbloodthatservedher。Untutoredinworldlyknowledge,shecouldnotdivinethemeaningofthepronouncedleersandadmirationofherphysicalcharmswhichgleamedintheman’sface,butsheknewitmadeherfeelcreepy,andstoutlyrefusedtogo。NextdayCamillewassummonedfromatasktotheMotherSuperior’sparlour。Theothergirlsgazedwithenvyuponherasshedasheddownthecourtyardwithimpetuousmovement。Camille,theydecidedcrossly,receivedtoomuchnotice。ItwasCamillethis,Camillethat;shewaspretty,itwastobeexpected。EvenFatherRaylingeredlongerinhisblessingwhenhishandspressedhersilkyblackhair。
Assheenteredtheparlour,astrangechillsweptoverthegirl。
Theroomwasnotanunaccustomedone,forshehadsweptitmanytimes,butto—daythestiffblackchairs,thedismalcrucifixes,thegleamingwhitenessofthewalls,eventhecheaplithographoftheMadonnawhichCamillehadalwaysregardedasaperfectspecimenofart,seemedcoldandmean。
\"Camille,machere,\"saidMother,\"Iamextremelydispleasedwithyou。WhydidyounotwishtogowithMonsieurandMadameLafayeyesterday?\"
Thegirluncrossedherhandsfromherbosom,andspreadthemoutinadeprecatinggesture。
\"Mais,mamere,Iwasafraid。\"
Mother’sfacegrewstern。\"Nofoolishnessnow,\"sheexclaimed。
\"Itisnotfoolishness,mamere;Icouldnothelpit,butthatmanlookedatmesofunny,Ifeltallcoldchillsdownmyback。
Oh,dearMother,Ilovetheconventandthesistersso,Ijustwanttostayandbeasistertoo,mayI?\"
AndthusitwasthatCamilletookthewhiteveilatsixteenyears。Nowthattheperiodofnovitiatewasover,itwasjustbeginningtodawnuponherthatshehadmadeamistake。
\"MaybeitwouldhavebeenbetterhadIgonewiththefunny—lookingladyandgentleman,\"shemusedbitterlyonenight。
\"Oh,Seigneur,I’msotiredandimpatient;it’ssodullhere,and,dearGod,I’msoyoung。\"
Therewasnohelpforit。Onemustariseinthemorning,andhelpintherefectorywiththestupidSisterFrancesca,andgoaboutone’sdutieswithaprayerfulmien,andnotevenletasighescapewhenone’sheadachedwiththeeternaltellingofbeads。
Agreatfetedaywascoming,andanatmosphereofpreparationandmildexcitementpervadedthebrownwallsoftheconventlikeadelicatearoma。TheoldCathedralaroundthecornerhadstoodahundredyears,andallthecitywasrisingtodohonourtoitsageandtime—softenedbeauty。Therewouldbeaservice,oh,butsuchaone!withtwoCardinals,andArchbishopsandBishops,andalltheaccompanyingglitterofsoldiersandorchestras。ThelittlesistersoftheConventduSacreCoeurclaspedtheirhandsinanticipationoftheholyjoy。SisterJosephacurledherlip,shewassotiredofchurchlypleasures。
Thedaycame,agoldandbluespringday,whentheairhungheavywiththescentofrosesandmagnolias,andthesunbeamsfairlylaughedastheykissedthehouses。TheoldCathedralstoodgrayandsolemn,andtheflowersinJacksonSquaresmiledcheerybirthdaygreetingsacrosstheway。Thecrowdaroundthedoorsurgedandpressedandpushedinitseagernesstogetwithin。
Ribbonsstretchedacrossthebanquettewereofnoavailtorepressit,andimportantusherswithcardinalcolourscoulddolittlemore。
TheSacredHeartsistersfiledslowlyinatthesidedoor,creatingamomentaryflutterastheypacedreverentlytotheirseats,guardingtheblue—bonnetedorphans。SisterJosepha,determinedtoseeasmuchoftheworldasshecould,keptherbigblackeyesopenedwide,asthechurchrapidlyfilledwiththefashionablydressed,perfumed,rustling,andself—consciousthrong。
Herheartbeatquickly。Therebelliousthoughtsthatwillariseinthemostphilosophicalofussurgedinhersmallheavilygownedbosom。Forherwerethegraythings,theneutraltintedskies,theuglygarb,thecoarsemeats;forthemtherainbow,theetherealairinessofearthlyjoys,thebonbonsandglacesoftheworld。SisterJosephadidnotknowthattherainbowiselusive,anditscoloursbuttheilluminationoftears;shehadneverbeentoldthatearthlyetherealityisnecessarilyephemeral,northatbonbonsandglaces,whetherofthepalateorofthesoul,nauseateandpalluponthetaste。DearGod,forgiveher,forshebentwithcontritetearsoverherwornrosary,andglancednomoreattheworldlyglitteroffemininity。
Thesunbeamsstreamedthroughthehighwindowsinpurpleandcrimsonlightsuponaveritablefugueofcolour。Withintheseats,crushuponcrushofspringmillinery;withintheaisleserectlinesofgold—braided,gold—buttonedmilitary。Uponthealtar,broadsweepsofgoldenrobes,greatdashesofcrimsonskirts,mitresandgleamingcrosses,thesoftneutralhueofrichlacevestments;thetenderheadsofchildhoodinpicturesqueattire;theproud,goldenmagnificenceofthedomedaltarwithitsweightingmassofliliesandwide—eyedroses,andthelongcandlesthatsparkledtheiryellowstarpointsabovethereverentthrongwithinthealtarrails。
ThesoftbaritoneoftheCardinalintonedasinglephraseinthesuspendedsilence。Thecensertookupthenoteinitsdelicateclinkclink,asitswungtoandfrointhehandsofafair—hairedchild。Thentheorgan,pausinganinstantinadeep,mellow,long—drawnnote,burstsuddenlyintoamagnificentstrain,andthechoirsangforth,\"KyrieEleison,ChristeEleison。\"Onevoice,flute—like,piercing,sweet,ranghighovertherest。
SisterJosephaheardandtrembled,assheburiedherfaceinherhands,andlethertearsfall,likeotherbeads,throughherrosary。
Itwaswhenthefinalwordoftheservicehadbeenintoned,thelastpealoftheexitmarchhaddiedaway,thatshelookedupmeekly,toencounterapairofyouthfulbrowneyesgazingpityinglyuponher。Thatwasallsherememberedforamoment,thattheeyeswereyouthfulandhandsomeandtender。Later,shesawthattheywereplacedinaratherbeautifulboyishface,surmountedbywavesofbrownhair,curlingandsoft,andthattheheadwassetonapairofshouldersdeckedinmilitaryuniform。
Thenthebrowneyesmarchedawaywiththerestoftherearguard,andthewhite—bonnetedsistersfiledoutthesidedoor,throughthenarrowcourt,backintothebrownconvent。
ThatnightSisterJosephatossedmorethanusualonherhardbed,andclaspedherfingersofteninprayertoquellthewickednessinherheart。Turnwhereshewould,prayasshemight,therewaseverapairoftender,pityingbrowneyes,hauntingherpersistently。Thesqueakyorganatvespersintonedtheclankofmilitaryaccoutrementstoherears,thewhitebonnetsofthesistersaboutherfadedintomistsofcurlingbrownhair。
Briefly,SisterJosephawasinlove。
Thedayswentonprettymuchasbefore,savefortheonelittleheartthatbeatrebelliouslynowandthen,thoughittriedsohardtobesubmissive。Therewasthemorningworkintherefectory,thestupidlittlegirlstoteachsewing,andtheinsatiablelampsthatweresogreedyforoil。Andalwaysthetender,boyishbrowneyes,thatlookedsosorrowfullyatthefragile,beautifullittlesister,haunting,following,pleading。
Perchance,hadSisterJosephabeenintheworld,theeyeswouldhavebeenanincident。Butinthishomeofself—repressionandretrospection,itwasalife—story。Theeyeshadgonetheirway,doubtlessforgettingthelittlesistertheypitied;butthelittlesister?
Thedaysglidedintoweeks,theweeksintomonths。ThoughtsofescapehadcometoSisterJosepha,tofleeintotheworld,tomergeinthegreatcitywhererecognitionwasimpossible,and,workingherwayliketherestofhumanity,perchanceencountertheeyesagain。
Itwasallplannedandready。Shewouldwaituntilsomemorningwhenthelittlebandofblack—robedsisterswendedtheirwaytomassattheCathedral。Whenitwastimetofileouttheside—doorintothecourtway,shewouldlingeratprayers,thenslipoutanotherdoor,andunseenglideupChartresStreettoCanal,andoncethere,mingleinthethrongthatfilledthewidethoroughfare。Beyondthisfirstplanshecouldthinknofurther。
Penniless,garbed,andshaventhoughshewouldbe,otherdifficultiesneverpresentedthemselvestoher。Shewouldrelyonthemerciesoftheworldtohelpherescapefromthistorturinglifeofinertia。Itseemedeasynowthatthefirststepofdecisionhadbeentaken。
TheSaturdaynightbeforethefinaldayhadcome,andshelayfeverishlynervousinhernarrowlittlebed,wonderingwithwide—eyedfearatthemorrow。Pale—eyedSisterDominicaandSisterFrancescawerewhisperingtogetherinthedarksilence,andSisterJosepha’searsprickedupassheheardhername。
\"Sheisnotwell,poorchild,\"saidFrancesca。\"Ifearthelifeistooconfining。\"
\"Itisbestforher,\"wasthereply。\"Youknow,sister,howharditwouldbeforherintheworld,withnonamebutCamille,nofriends,andherbeauty;andthen——\"
SisterJosephaheardnomore,forherheartbeatingtumultuouslyinherbosomdrownedtherest。Liketherushofthebittersalttideoveradrowningmanclingingtoaspar,camethecompletesubmergingofherhopesofanotherlife。NonamebutCamille,thatwastrue;nonationality,forshecouldnevertellfromwhomorwhenceshecame;nofriends,andabeautythatnotevenanungainlybonnetandshavenheadcouldhide。Inaflashsherealisedthedeceptionofthelifeshewouldlead,andthecruelself—tortureofwonderatherownidentity。Already,asifinanticipationoftheworld’squestionings,shewasaskingherself,\"WhoamI?WhatamI?\"
ThenextmorningthesistersduSacreCoeurfiledintotheCathedralatHighMass,andbentdevoutkneesatthegeneralconfession。\"ConfiteorDeoomnipotenti,\"murmuredthepriest;
andtremblinglyonelittlesisterfollowedthewords,\"JeconfesseaDieu,toutpuissant——quej’aibeaucouppecheparpensees——c’estmafaute——c’estmafaute——c’estmatresgrandefaute。\"
Theorganpealedforthasmassended,thethrongslowlyfiledout,andthesisterspacedthroughthecourtwaybackintothebrownconventwalls。Onepausedattheentrance,andgazedwithswiftlongingeyesinthedirectionofnarrow,squalidChartresStreet,then,withagulpingsob,followedtherest,andvanishedbehindtheheavydoor。
THEPRALINEWOMAN
ThepralinewomansitsbythesideoftheArchbishop’squaintlittleoldchapelonRoyalStreet,andslowlywavesherlatanierfanoverthepinkandbrownwares。
\"Pralines,pralines。Ah,ma’amzelle,youbuy?S’ilvousplait,ma’amzelle,cespralines,deybefine,ver’fresh。
\"Maisnon,maman,youarenotsure?
\"Sho’,chile,mabebe,mapetite,sheputdeseuphissef。He’shans’sosmall,ma’amzelle,lakyou’s,maisbrune。Sheputdeseupdismorn’。Youtak’none?Nohusban’fo’youden!
\"Ah,mapetite,youtak’?Cinqsous,bebe,maylebonDieukeepyougood!
\"Maisoui,madame,Iknowyouetranger。Youdon’looklakdeseNewOrleanspeop’。Youlak’doseYankeedatcomedown’fo’dewar。\"
Ding—dong,ding—dong,ding—dong,chimestheCathedralbellacrossJack—sonSquare,andthepralinewomancrossesherself。
\"Hail,Mary,fullofgrace——
\"Pralines,madame?Youbuylak’dat?Dixsous,madame,an’onelil’piecefo’lagniappefo’madame’slil’bebe。Ah,c’estbon!
\"Pralines,pralines,sofresh,sofine!M’sieuwouldlak’somefo’he’slil’gal’athome?Maisnon,what’sdatyousay?She’sdaid!Ah,m’sieu,’tismylil’galwhatdiedlongyearago。
Misere,misere!
\"HerecomedatlazyIndiensquaw。Whatshegoodfo’,anyhow?Shejes’sitlakdatindeFrenchMarketan’sellherfile,an’
sleep,sleep,sleep,lak’soinhe’sblanket。Hey,dere,you,Tonita,howgoesyou’beezness?
\"Pralines,pralines!HolyFather,yougivemedatblessin’sho’?
Tak’one,Iknowyoulakdatw’iteone。Ittas’good,Iknow,bien。
\"Pralines,madame?Ilak’you’face。Whatfo’youwearblack?
You’lil’boydaid?Youtak’one,jes’seehowittas’。Ihadonelil’boyonce,hejes’grow’twellhe’sbiglak’dis,denonedayhetak’sickan’die。Oh,madame,itmos’brekmypo’heart。
IburncandleinSt。Rocque,Isaymybeads,Isprinkleholywaterroun’he’sbed;hejes’layso,he’seyesturnup,hesay’Maman,maman,’denhedie!Madame,youtak’one。Non,non,nol’argent,youtak’onefo’mylil’boy’ssake。
\"Pralines,pralines,m’sieu?Whomak’dese?Mylil’gal,Didele,ofco’se。Non,non,Idon’tmak’nomo’。Po’TanteMariegettoool’。Didele?She’sonelil’galI’dopt。Iseeheronedayindestrit。Hewalkso;hitcol’sheshiver,an’I
say,’Whereyougone,lil’gal?’andhecan’tell。Hejes’cripclosetome,an’cryso!DenItak’herhomewidme,andshesayhe’snameDidele。Youseedeywa’ntnobodydere。Mylil’gal,she’sdaidofdeyellowfever;mylil’boy,he’sdaid,po’TanteMarieallalone。Didele,shegrowfine,shekeephousean’mek’
pralines。Den,whennightcome,shesitwidhe’sguitaran’
sing,\"’Tul’aimecestroisjours,Tul’aimecestroisjours,Macoeuratoi,Macoeuratoi,Tul’aimecestroisjours!’
\"Ah,he’sfinegal,isDidele!
\"Pralines,pralines!Datlil’cloud,h’itlooklak’rain,Ihopeno。
\"HerecomedatlazyI’ishmandowndestrit。Idon’tlak’
I’ishman,me,non,deysofunny。OnedayoneI’ishman,hesaytome,’Auntie,whatfo’youtalkso?’andIjes’sayback,’Whatfo’yousay\"Faithan’bejabers\"?’Non,Idon’lakI’ishman,me!
\"Herecomederain!NowIgotfo’togo。Didele,shebewaitfo’me。Downh’itcome!H’itfallindeMeesseesip,an’fillup——up——so,cleantodelevee,denwehavebigcrivasse,an’po’
TanteMariefloataway。Bonjour,madame,youcomeagain?
Pralines!Pralines!\"
ODALIE
NowandthenCarnivaltimecomesatthetimeofthegoodSaintValentine,andthensometimesitcomesaslateasthewarmdaysinMarch,whenspringisindeeduponus,andthegreennessofthegrassoutviesthegreenintheroyalstandards。
DaysanddaysbeforetheCarnivalproper,NewOrleansbeginstotakeonafestiveappearance。Hereandtheretheroyalflagswiththeirglowinggreensandvioletsandyellowsappear,andthen,asifbymagic,thestreetsandbuildingsflameandburstlikepoppiesoutofbud,intoagloriousrefulgenceofcolourthatsteepsthesensesintoalanguorousacceptanceofwarmthandbeauty。
OnMardiGrasday,asyouknow,itisatowngonemadwithfolly。
Ahugemaskedballemptiedintothestreetsatdaylight;ameetingofallnationsoncommonground,apot—pourriofeveryconceivablehumaningredient,butfaintlydescribesitall。
Therearemusicandflowers,criesandlaughterandsongandjoyousness,andneveranachinghearttoshowitssorrowordimthehappinessofthestreets。Awondrousthing,thisCarnival!
ButtheoldcroniesdowninFrenchtown,whoknoweverything,andcanreciteyoumanyastory,tellofonesadheartonMardiGrasyearsago。Itwasawoman’s,ofcourse;for\"Ilesttoujourslesfemmesquisontmalheureuses,\"saysanoldproverb,andperhapsitisright。Thiswoman——achild,shewouldbecalledelsewhere,saveinthislandoftropicalgrowthandprecocity——lostherhearttoonewhoneverknew,averycommonstory,bytheway,butonewhichwouldhavebeenquitedistastefultothehaughtyjudge,herfather,hadheknown。
Odaliewasbeautiful。Odaliewashaughtytoo,butgraciousenoughtothosewhopleasedherdaintyfancy。IntheoldFrenchhouseonRoyalStreet,withitsquaintwindowsandSpanishcourtyardgreenandcool,andmademusicalbytheplashingofthefountainandthetrillofcagedbirds,livedOdalieinconvent—likeseclusion。MonsieurleJugewasdeterminednohawkshouldbreakthroughthecageandstealhisdove;andso,thoughtherewasnomother,asternduennaauntkeptfaithfulwatch。
AlasfortheprecautionsoflaTante!Brighteyesthatsearchforotherbrighteyesinwhichlurksthespiritofyouthandmischiefareeveronthelook—out,eveninchurch。DutifullywasOdaliemarchedtotheCathedraleverySundaytomass,andTanteLouise,noddingdevoutlyoverherbeads,couldnotseetheblushesandglancesfullofmeaning,awholecodeofsignalsasitwere,thatpassedbetweenOdalieandPierre,theimpecuniousyoungclerkinthecourtroom。
Odalieloved,perhaps,becausetherewasnotmuchelsetodo。
WhenoneisshutupinagreatFrenchhousewithagrimsleepytanteandnocompanionsofone’sownage,lifebecomesadullthing,andoneisreadyforanynewsensation,particularlyifintheveinsthereboundsthetempestuousSpanish—FrenchbloodthatMonsieurleJugeboastedof。SoOdaliehuggedtheimageofherPierreduringtheweekdays,andplayedtremulouslittlelove—songstoitinthetwilightwhenlaTantedozedoverherdevotionbook,andonSundaysatmasstherewereglancesandblushes,andmayhap,atsomeespeciallyrememberedtime,thetouchoffinger—tipsattheholy—waterfont,whilelaTantedroppedherlastgenuflexion。
ThencametheCarnivaltime,andonelittleheartbeatfaster,asthegrayhouseonRoyalStreethungoutitsmany—huedflags,anddrapeditsgrimfrontwithglowingcolours。Itwastobeatimeofjoyandrelaxation,wheneveryonecouldgoabroad,andinthecrowdsonecouldspeaktowhomonechose。Unconsciousplansformulated,andthepetiteOdaliewasquitehappyasthetimedrewnear。
\"Onlythink,TanteLouise,\"shewouldcry,\"whatahappytimeitistobe!\"
ButTanteLouiseonlygrumbled,aswasherwont。
ItwasMardiGrasdayatlast,andearlythroughherwindowOdaliecouldhearthejingleoffollybellsonthemaskers’
costumes,thetinkleofmusic,andtheechoingstrainsofsongs。
Uptoherearstherefloatedthelaughteroftheoldermaskers,andthescreamsofthelittlechildrenfrightenedattheirownimagesunderthemaskanddomino。Whatahurrytobeoutandinthemotleymerrythrong,tobepacingRoyalStreettoCanalStreet,wherewaslifeandtheworld!
TheyweretiredeyeswithwhichOdalielookedatthegaypageantatlast,tiredwithwatchingthrongafterthrongofmaskers,oftheunmasked,ofpeeringintothecartsfulofsingingminstrels,intocarriagesofrevellers,hopingforaglimpseofPierrethedevout。Theallegoricalcartsrumblingbywiththeirimportantred—clothedhorseswerebeginningtolosecharm,thedisguisesshowedtawdry,eventhegay—huedflagsflutteredsadlytoOdalie。
MardiGraswasatiresomeday,afterall,shesighed,andTanteLouiseagreedwithherforonce。
Sixo’clockhadcome,thehourwhenallmasksmustberemoved。
Thelongredraysofthesettingsunglintedathwartthemany—huedcostumesoftherevellerstroopingunmaskedhomewardtorestforthenight’slastmadfrolic。
DownToulouseStreettherecamethemerriestthrongofall。
Youngmenandwomenindainty,fairy—likegarb,dancers,anddressesofthepicturesqueEmpire,abutterflyortwoandadamehereandtherewithpowderedhairandgracesofoldentime。
Singingwithunmaskedfaces,theydancedtowardTanteLouiseandOdalie。Shestoodwitheyeslustrousandtear—heavy,forthereinthefrontwasPierre,Pierrethefaithless,hisarmsabouttheslenderwaistofabutterfly,whosetinselledpowderedhairfloatedacrossthelacerufflesofhisEmpirecoat。
\"Pierre!\"criedOdalie,softly。Nooneheard,foritwasamerefaintbreathandfellunheeded。Insteadthelaughingthrongpeltedherwithflowersandcandyandwenttheirway,andevenPierredidnotsee。
Yousee,whenoneisshutupinthegrimwallsofaRoyalStreethouse,withnoonebutaTanteLouiseandagrimjudge,howisonetolearnthatinthisworldtherearefaithlessoneswhomayglancetenderlyintoone’seyesatmassandpasstheholywateroncaressingfingerswithoutbeingmadlyinlove?TherewasnoonetotellOdalie,soshesatathomeinthedullfirstdaysofLent,andnursedherdeardeadlove,andmournedaswomenhavedonefromtimeimmemorialoverthefaithlessnessofman。AndwhenonedaysheaskedthatshemightgobacktotheUrsulines’
conventwhereherchildishdayswerespent,onlytogothistimeasanun,MonsieurleJugeandTanteLouisethoughtitquitetheproperandconvenientthingtodo;forhowweretheytoknowthesecretofthatMardiGrasday?
LAJUANITA
IfyouneverlivedinMandeville,youcannotappreciatethethrillofwholesome,satisfiedjoywhichsweepsoveritsinhabitantseveryeveningatfiveo’clock。Itisthehourforthearrivalofthe\"NewCamelia,\"thehappeningoftheday。Asearlyasfouro’clockthetrailingsmokeacrossthehorizonofthetreacherousLakePontchartrainappears,andMandevilleknowsthenthatthehourforitssiestahaspassed,andthatitmustarrayitselfinitscoolestandfluffiestgarments,andgodowntothepiertomeetthissoleconnectionbetweenitselfandtheoutsideworld;thelittle,puffy,side—wheelsteamerthatcomesdailyfromNewOrleansandbringsthemailandthenews。
Onthisparticulardaytherewasanairofsuppressedexcitementaboutthelittleknotofpeoplewhichgatheredonthepier。Tobesure,therewerenooutwardsignstoshowthatanythingunusualhadoccurred。Thesmallfolksdancedwiththesamegleeoverthewornboards,andpeereddownwithdaringexcitementintotheperilousdepthsofthewaterbelow。Thesun,fastsinkinginagorgeousglowbehindthepinesoftheTchefunctaregionfaraway,dancedhismischievousraysinmuchthesamemannerthathedideveryotherday。Buttherewasasomethingintheair,asomethingnottangible,butmysterious,subtle。Youcouldcatchanindescribablewhiffofitinyourinnersenses,bythehalf—eager,furtiveglancesthatthesmallcrowdcastatLaJuanita。
\"Gar,gar,lebateau!\"saidonedark—tressedmothertothewide—eyedbaby。\"Et,oui,\"sheadded,inanundertonetohercompanion。\"Voila,LaJuanita!\"
LaJuanita,youmustknow,wastheprideofMandeville,theadored,theadmiredofall,withherpetite,half—Spanish,half—Frenchbeauty。WhetherrockingintheshadeoftheCherokee—rose—coveredgalleryofGrandpereColomes’bighouse,herfairfacebonnet—shaded,herdaintyhandsglovedtokeepthesunfromtoocloseanacquaintance,orsplashingthesprayfromthebowofherlittlepirogue,orfluffingherskirtsabouthertinyfeetonthepier,shewasthepetandwardofMandeville,asitwere,LaJuanitaAlvarez,sinceMadameAlvarezwasawidow,andGrandpereColomeswasstrictandstern。
AndnowLaJuanitahadsethersmallfootdownwithapassionatestampbeforeGrandpereColomes’veryface,andtossedherblackcurlsaboutherwilfulhead,andsaidshewouldgotothepierthiseveningtomeetherMercer。AllMandevilleknewthis,andcastitsfurtiveglancesalternatelyatLaJuanitawithtwobigpinkspotsinhercheeks,andattheentrancetothepier,expectingGrandpereColomesandascene。
Thesuncastredglowsandvioletshadowsoverthepier,andthepinesmurmuredasoftlittlevesperhymnamongthemselvesuponthebeach,asthe\"NewCamelia\"swungherselfin,crabby,sidewise,likeafatoldgentlemangoingintoasmalldoor。
Therewastheclangofanimportantbell,thescreamofahoarselittlewhistle,andMandevillerushedtothegang—planktowelcometheoutsideworld。Juanitaputherhandthroughawaitingarm,andtrippedawaywithherMercer,bigandblondandbrawny。\"UnAmericain,pah!\"saidthelittlemotheroftheblackeyes。AndMandevillesighedsadly,andshookitshead,andwassorryforGrandpereColomes。
ThiswasSaturday,andthebigregattawouldbeMonday。Ah,thatregatta,suchaoneasMandevillehadneverseen!ThereweretobeboatsfromMadisonvilleandAmite,fromLewisburgandCovington,andevenfar—awayNott’sPoint。TherewastobeaClassAandClassBandClassC,andthelittleFrenchgirlsofthetownflauntedtheirribbonsdowntheoneoak—shaded,lake—kissedstreet,anddaredanyonetosaytheirswerenotthefavouritecolours。
InClassAwasentered,\"LaJuanita,’captainMercerGrangeman,colourspinkandgold。\"Hername,hercolours;whatimpudence!
Ofcourse,notbeingaMandevillian,youcouldnotunderstandtheshameofGrandpereColomesatthis。WasitnotbadenoughforhispetiteJuanita,hisSpanishblossom,hishopeofafamilythathadhelditselfproudlyalooffrom\"doseAmericain\"fromtimeimmemorial,tohavesmileduponthisMercer,thispale—eyedyouth?Wasitnotbadenoughforhertodemeanherselfbywalkinguponthepierwithhim?Butforaboat,hisboat,\"unbateauAmericain,\"tobenamedLaJuanita!Oh,theshameofit!
GrandpereColomesprayedadevoutprayertotheVirginthat\"LaJuanita\"shouldbecapsized。
Mondaycame,clearandblueandstifling。Thewavesofhotairdancedonthesandsandadowntheonestreetmerrily。GlassilycalmlaythePontchartrain,heavilystillhungtheatmosphere。
MadameAlvarezcastaninquiringglancetowardthesky。
GrandpereColomeschuckled。HehadnotlivedontheshoresofthetreacherousLakePontchartrainfornothing。Heknewitseverymood,itspetulancesandpassions;heknewthisglassywarmthandwhatitmeant。Chucklingagainandagain,hesteppedtothegalleryandlookedoutoverthelake,andatthepier,wherelaytheboatsrockingandidlytuggingattheirmoorings。
LaJuanitainherrose—scentedroomtiedthepinkribbonsonherdaintyfrock,andfastenedclothofgoldrosesatherlithewaist。
ItwassaidthatjustbeforethecrackofthepistolLaJuanita’stinyhandlayinMercer’s,andthathebenthishead,andwhisperedsoftly,sothatthesurroundingcrowdcouldnothear,——
\"Juanitamine,ifIwin,youwill?\"
\"Oui,monMercere,eefyouwin。\"
Inanotherinstantthewhitewingswereoffscuddingbeforetherisingbreeze,dippingtheirglossyboat—sidesintotheclearwater,strainingtheircordageintheirtenseeffortstoreachthestakeboats。Mandevilleindiscriminatelydistributeditselfonpiers,largeandsmall,bath—housetops,trees,andcraftofallkinds,frompirogue,dory,andpine—rafttopretentiouscat—boatandshell—schooner。Mandevillecheeredandstraineditseyesafteralltheboats,butchieflywasitsattentiondirectedto\"LaJuanita。\"
\"Ah,voila,eetisahead!\"
\"Maisnon,c’estunautre!\"
\"LaJuanita!LaJuanita!\"
\"RegardezGrandpereColomes!\"
OldColomesonthebigpierwithMadameAlvarezandhisgranddaughterwasintentlystraininghisweather—beatenfaceinthedirectionofNott’sPoint,hisbackresolutelyturneduponthescuddingwhitewings。AsuddenchuckleofgrimsatisfactioncausedLaPetite’sheadtotosspetulantly。
Butonlyforaminute,forGrandpereColomes’chucklewasfollowedbyashoutofdismayfromthosewhoseglancehadfollowedhis。YoumustknowthatitisaroundNott’sPointthatthestormkingshowshiswingsfirst,forthelittlepeninsulaguardstheentrancewhichleadsintothesoutheastwatersofthestormyRigoletsandtheblusteringGulf。Youwouldknow,ifyoulivedinMandeville,thatwhenthepinesonNott’sPointdarkenandwhenthewatershowswhitebeyondliketheteethofahungrywolf,itistimetosteeryourboatintothemouthofsomeoneofthemanycalmbayouswhichflowsilentlythroughoutSt。Tammanyparishintothelake。Smallwonderthatthecryofdismaywentupnow,forNott’sPointwasblack,withaluridlightoverhead,andtheroarofthegrimsoutheastwindcameominouslyoverthewater。
LaJuanitaclaspedherhandsandstrainedhereyesforhernamesake。Theracershadroundedthesecondstake—boat,andthecourseofthetriangleheadedthemdirectlyfortheluridcloud。
YoushouldhaveseenGrandpereColomesthen。Hedancedupanddownthepierinaperfectfrenzy。ThethinpalelipsofMadameAlvarezmovedinasilentprayer;LaJuanitastoodcoldlysilent。
Andnowyoucouldseethattheadvanceguardofthesoutheastforcehadstruckthelittlefleet。Theydippedandscurriedandrocked,andyoucouldseethesailsbeingreefedhurriedly,andalmostheartheriggingcreakandmoanunderthestrain。Thenthewindcameupthelake,andstruckthetownwithatumultuousforce。Thewatersroseandheavedinthelong,sullenground—swell,whichbetokenedserioustrouble。Therewasarushoflake—crafttoshelter。Heavygraywavesboomedagainstthebreakwatersandpiers,dashingtheirbrackishsprayuponthestrainedwatchers;thenwithashriekandahowlthestormburstfull,withblindingsheetsofrain,andagreathurricaneofGulfwindthatthreatenedtoblowthelittletownaway。
LaJuanitawasproud。WhenGrandpereandMadameledherawayinthestorm,thoughherfacewaswhite,andtherosemouthpressedclose,notaworddidshesay,andhereyeswereasbrightaseverbefore。Itwasfoolishtohopethatthefrailboatscouldsurvivesuchastorm。Therewasnoteventhemerestexcuseforshelteroutinthewaters,andwhenLakePontchartraingrowsangry,itdevourswithoutpity。
Yourtropicalstormissoonover,however,andinanhourthesunstruggledthroughagrayandmistysky,overwhichthewindwassweepinggreatclouds。Therain—dropshungdiamond—likeonthethickfoliage,butthelongground—swellstillboomedagainstthebreakwatersandshowedwhiteteeth,fartothesouth。
Aschickenscreepfromundershelterafterarain,sothepeopleofMandevillecreptoutagainonthepiers,onthebath—houses,onthebreakwateredge,andwatchedeagerlyfortheboats。
Slowlyuponthehorizonappearedwhitesails,andthelittlecraftswungintosight。One,two,three,four,five,six,seven,eight,nine,countedMandeville。Everyonecomingin!Bravo!
Andagreatcheerthatsweptthewholelengthofthetownfromthepost—officetoBlackBayouwentup。Bravo!Everyboatwascomingin。But——waseveryman?
Thiswasasoberingthought,andinthehushwhichfollowedityoucouldheartheQ。andC。trainthunderingoverthegreatlake—bridge,milesaway。
Well,theycameintothepieratlast,\"LaJuanita\"inthelead;
andasCaptainMercerlanded,hewassurroundedbyavoluble,chattering,anxiousthrongthatloadedhimwithquestionsinpatois,inbrokenEnglish,andinFrench。Hewasnolonger\"unAmericain\"now,hewasahero。
Whentheothereightboatscamein,andMandevillesawthatnoonewaslost,therewasanotherringingbravo,andmorechatteringofquestions。
Weheardthetruthfinally。Whenthestormburst,CaptainMercersuddenlypromotedhimselftoanadmiralshipandassumedcommandofhislittlefleet。HehadledthemthroughtheteethofthegaletoasmallinletonthecoastbetweenBayouLacombeandNott’sPoint,andtheretheyhadwaiteduntilthestormpassed。
LoudwerethepraisesoftheothercaptainsforAdmiralMercer,profusewerethethanksofthesistersandsweethearts,ashewascarriedtriumphantlyontheshouldersofthesailorsadownthewharftotheMaisonColomes。
ThecrispnesshadgonefromJuanita’spinkfrock,andtheclothofgoldroseswerewellnighpetalless,butthehandthatsheslippedintohiswaswarmandsoft,andtheeyesthatwereupturnedtoMercer’sblueoneswereshiningwithadmiringtears。
AndevenGrandpereColomes,ashebrewedontheCherokee—rose—coveredgallery,afierypunchfortheheroes,washeardtoadmitthat\"sometimedoseAmericaincanmos’belakoneFrenchman。\"
Andwedancedatthebetrothalsupperthenextweek。
TITEE
Itwascoldthatday。Thegreatsharpnorth—windsweptoutElysianFieldsStreetinblaststhatmademenshiver,andbenteverythingintheirtrack。Theskieshungloweringandgloomy;
theusuallyquietstreetwasmorethandeserted,itwasdismal。
Titeeleanedagainstoneofthebrownfreightcarsforprotectionagainsttheshrillnorther,andwarmedhislittlechappedhandsatablazeofchipsanddrygrass。\"Maybeit’llsnow,\"hemuttered,castingaglanceattheskythatwouldhavedonecredittoapractisedseaman。\"Thenwon’tIhavefun!Ugh,butthewindblows!\"
ItwasSaturday,orTiteewouldhavebeeninschool,thebigyellowschoolonMarignyStreet,wherehewenteverydaywhenitsbellboomednineo’clock,wentwitharunandajoyouswhoop,ostensiblytoimbibeknowledge,reallytomakehisteacher’slifeaburden。
Idle,lazy,dirty,troublesomeboy,shecalledhimtoherself,asdaybydayworeon,andTiteeimprovednot,butlethiswholeclasspasshimonitswaytoahighergrade。Apracticaljokeherelishedinfinitelymorethanapracticalproblem,andagoodgameatpin—stickingwasfarmoreentertainingthanalanguagelesson。Moreover,hewasalwayshungry,andwouldeatinschoolbeforethehalf—pasttenrecess,therebylosingmuchgoodplaytimeforhisvoraciousappetite。
ButtherewasnothinginnaturalhistorythatTiteedidnotknow。
Hecoulddissectabutterflyoramosquitohawk,anddescribetheirpartsasaccuratelyasaspectacledstudentwithascalpelandmicroscopecouldtalkaboutacadaver。TheentireThirdDistrict,withitsswampsandcanalsandcommonsandrailroadsections,anditswondrous,crooked,tortuousstreets,wasanopenbooktoTitee。Therewasnotanookorcornerthathedidnotknoworcouldnottellof。Therewasnotabitofgossipamongthegamins,littleCreoleandSpanishfellows,withdarkskinsandlovelyeyes,likespaniels,thatTiteecouldnottellof。HeknewjustexactlywhenitwastimeforcrawfishtobeplentifuldownintheClaiborneandMarignycanals;justwhenapoor,breadlessfellowmightgetajobinthebigbone—yardandfertilisingfactory,outontherailroadtrack;andasforthelevee,withitsshipsandschoonersandsailors,howhecouldrevelinthem!Thewondrousships,theprettylittleschooners,wheretheforeign—lookingsailorslayonlongmoonlightnights,singingtotheirguitarsandtellinggreatstories,——allthesethingsandmorecouldTiteetellof。HehadbeendowntotheGulf,andoutonitstreacherouswatersthroughtheEadsjettiesonafishing—smackwithsomejollybrownsailors,andcouldinterestthewholeschool—roominthetalk—lessons,ifhechose。
Titeeshiveredasthewindsweptroundthefreight—cars。Thereisn’tmuchwarmthinabitofajerseycoat。
\"Wish’twassummer,\"hemurmured,castinganothersailor’sglanceatthesky。\"Don’tbelieveIlikesnow;it’stoowetandcold。\"
Andwithalastpartingcaressatthelittlefirehehadbuildedforaminute’swarmth,heplungedhishandsinhispockets,shuthisteeth,andstartedmanfullyonhismissionouttherailroadtracktowardtheswamps。
ItwaslatewhenTiteecamehome,tosuchahomeasitwas,andhehadbutillyperformedhiserrand;sohismotherbeathimandsenthimtobedsupperless。Asharpstrapstingsincoldweather,andalongwalkintheteethofabitingwindcreatesakeenappetite。ButifTiteecriedhimselftosleepthatnight,hewasupbrightandearlynextmorning,hadbeentomass,devoutlykneelingonthecoldfloor,blowinghisfingerstokeepthemwarm,andwashomealmostbeforetherestofthefamilywereawake。
Therewasevidentlysomegreatmatterofbusinessontheyoungman’smind,forhescarcelyatehisbreakfast,andleftthetablesoon,eagerlycrammingtheremainderofhismealinhispockets。
\"Mafoi,butwhatnow?\"musedhismother,asshewatchedhislittleformsturdilytrudgingthetrackinthefaceofthewind;
hishead,withtherimlesscapthrustcloseontheshockofblackhair,bentlow;hishandsthrustdeepinthebulgingpockets。
\"Anewliveplay—toyh’itmaybe,\"venturedthefather;\"heisonefunnychil。\"
ThenextdayTiteewaslateforschool。Itwassomethingunusual,forhewasalwaysthefirstonhandtofixsomeplanofmechanismtomaketheteachermiserable。Shelookedreprovinglyathimthismorning,whenhecameinduringarithmeticclass,hishairallwind—blown,hischeeksrosyfromahardfightwiththesharpblasts。Buthemadeupforhistardinessbyhisextremegoodnessallday;justthink,Titeedidnoteveneatoncebeforenoon,asomethingunparalleledintheentireprevioushistoryofhisschoollife。
Whenthelunch—hourcame,andalltheyardwasasceneoffeastandfun,oneoftheboysfoundhimstandingbyapost,disconsolatelywatchingahamsandwichasitrapidlydisappeareddownthethroatofasturdy,square—headedlittlefellow。
\"Hello,Edgar,\"hesaid,\"whatyougotferlunch?\"
\"Nothin’,\"wasthemournfulreply。
\"Ah,whydon’tyoustopeatin’inschool,ferachange?Youdon’teverhavenothin’toeat。\"
\"Ididn’teatto—day,\"saidTitee,blazingup。
\"Youdid!\"
\"ItellyouIdidn’t!\"andTitee’shardlittlefistplantedapunctuationmarkonhiscomrade’seye。
Afightintheschoolyard!PoorTiteewasindisgraceagain。
Still,inspiteofhisbatteredappearance,aseverescoldingfromtheprincipal,linestowrite,andafurtherpunishmentfromhismother,Titeescarcelyremainedforhisdinner,butwasoffdowntherailroadtrackwithhispocketspartlystuffedwiththeremnantsofthescantymeal。
AndthenextdayTiteewastardyagain,andlunchlesstoo,andthenext,untiltheteacher,indespair,sentanicelyprintednotetohismotherabouthim,whichmighthavedonesomegood,hadnotTiteetakengreatpainstotearituponthewayhome。
Onedayitrained,wholebucketsfulofwater,thatpouredintorrentsfromamiserable,angrysky。Toowetadayforbitsofboystobetrudgingtoschool,soTitee’smotherthought;soshekepthimathometowatchtheweatherthroughthewindow,frettingandfuminglikearegularstorminminiature。Asthedayworeon,andtheraindidnotabate,hismotherkeptastrongwatchuponhim,forhetriedmanytimestoslipaway。
Dinnercameandwent,andthegraysoddennessoftheskiesdeepenedintotheblacknessofcomingnight。SomeonecalledTiteetogotobed,andTiteewasnowheretobefound。
Underthebeds,inclosetsandcorners,insuchimpossibleplacesasthesoap—dishandwater—pitchereven,theysearched,buthehadgoneascompletelyasifhehadbeenspiritedaway。Itwasofnousetocalluptheneighbors,hehadneverbeenneartheirhouses,theyaffirmed,sotherewasnothingtodobuttogototherailroadtrackwhereTiteehadbeenseensooftentrudgingintheshrillnorth—wind。
Withlanternsandsticks,andhislittleyellowdog,therescuingpartystarteddownthetrack。Therainhadceasedfalling,butthewindblewagale,scurryinggreatgraycloudsoverafiercesky。Itwasnotexactlydark,thoughinthispartofthecitythereisneithergasnorelectricity,andonsuchanightasthisneithermoonnorstarsdaredshowtheirfacesinsograyasky;
butasortofall—diffusedluminositywasintheair,asthoughtheseaofatmospherewaschargedwithanetherealphosphorescence。
Searchastheydid,therewerenosignsofTitee。Thesoftearthbetweentherailroadtiescrumbledbetweentheirfeetwithoutshowinganysmalltracksorfootprints。
\"Mais,wemayaswellreturn,\"saidthebigbrother;\"heisnothere。\"
\"Oh,monDieu,\"urgedthemother,\"heis,heis;Iknowit。\"
Soontheywent,slippingonthewetearth,stumblingoverthelooserocks,untilasuddenwildyelpfromTigerbroughtthemtoastandstill。Hehadrushedaheadofthem,andhisvoicecouldbeheardinthedistance,howlingpiteously。
Withafreshimpetusthelittlemuddypartyhurriedforward。
Tiger’syelpscouldbeheardplainerandplainer,minglednowwithamuffled,plaintivelittlewail。
Afterawhiletheyfoundapitifullittleheapofsoddenrags,lyingatthefootofamoundofearthandstonesthrownuponthesideofthetrack。ItwasTiteewithabrokenleg,allwetandmiserableandmoaning。
Theypickedhimuptenderly,andstartedtocarryhimhome。Buthecriedandclungtothemother,andbeggednottogo。
\"Ah,monpauvreenfant,hehasthefever!\"wailedthemother。
\"No,no,it’smyoldman。He’shungry,\"sobbedTitee,holdingoutalittlepackage。Itwastheremnantsofhisdinner,allwetandrain—washed。
\"Whatoldman?\"askedthebigbrother。
\"Myoldman。Oh,please,pleasedon’tgohometillIseehim。
I’mnothurtingmuch,Icango。\"
So,yieldingtohiswhim,theycarriedhimfartheraway,downthesidesofthetrackuptoanembankmentorleveebythesidesoftheMarignyCanal。Thenthebigbrother,suddenlystopping,exclaimed:
\"Why,here’sacave。IsitRobinsonCrusoe?\"
\"It’smyoldman’scave,\"criedTitee。\"Oh,pleasegoin;maybehe’sdead。\"
Therecannotbemuchceremonyinenteringacave。Thereisbutonethingtodo,——walkin。Thistheydid,andholdingupthelantern,beheldaweirdsight。Onabedofstrawandpaperinonecornerlayawithered,wizened,white—beardedoldmanwithwideeyesstaringattheunaccustomedlight。Intheothercornerwasanequallydilapidatedcow。
\"It’smyoldman!\"criedTitee,joyfully。\"Oh,please,grandpa,Icouldn’tgethereto—day,itrainedallmornin’an’whenIranaway,Ifelldownan’brokesomething,an’,oh,grandpa,I’malltiredan’hurty,an’I’mso’fraidyou’rehungry。\"
SothesecretofTitee’sjauntsdowntherailroadwasout。Inoneofhistripsaroundtheswamp—land,hehaddiscoveredtheoldmanexhaustedfromcoldandhungerinthefields。Togethertheyhadfoundthiscave,andTiteehadgatheredthestrawandpaperthatmadethebed。Thenatrampcow,oldandturnedadrift,too,hadcreptinandsharedthedampdwelling。AndthitherTiteehadtrudgedtwiceaday,carryinghisluncheoninthemorningandhisdinnerintheafternoon。
\"There’sacrowninheavenforthatchild,\"saidtheofficerofcharitytowhomthecasewasreferred。
ButasforTitee,whenthelegwaswell,hewenthiswayasbefore。