But when the party reached the dining-room, Theophile proudly led
his partner to the head of the table, at the right hand of maman,
and smiled benignly about at the delighted assemblage. Now you
know, when a Creole young man places a girl at his mother's right
hand at his own table, there is but one conclusion to be deduced
therefrom.
If you had asked Manuela, after the wedding was over, how it
happened, she would have said nothing, but looked wise.
If you had asked Claralie, she would have laughed and said she
always preferred Leon.
If you had asked Theophile, he would have wondered that you
thought he had ever meant more than to tease Manuela.
If you had asked the Wizened One, she would have offered you a
charm.
But St. Rocque knows, for he is a good saint, and if you believe
in him and are true and good, and make your nouvenas with a clean
heart, he will grant your wish.
TONY'S WIFE
"Gimme fi' cents worth o' candy, please." It was the little Jew
girl who spoke, and Tony's wife roused herself from her knitting
to rise and count out the multi-hued candy which should go in
exchange for the dingy nickel grasped in warm, damp fingers.
Three long sticks, carefully wrapped in crispest brown paper, and
a half dozen or more of pink candy fish for lagniappe, and the
little Jew girl sped away in blissful contentment. Tony's wife
resumed her knitting with a stifled sigh until the next customer
should come.
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