_our_ Fortune she was so sick with something
the doctor he coul'n' make out the nature, and she coul'n' eat till
they're af-raid she'll die. And one day the doctor bring her father
confessor, there where she's in bed, and break that gently that my
father he's come home, and then that he's bring with him the perfec'
proof that she's as white as she look'. Well, negs day she's out of
bed; secon' she's dress--and laughing!--and eating! And every day my
father he's paying his intention', and Mme. Lefevre she's rij-oice,
biccause that riproach is pass' from monsieur her 'usband and pritty
quick they are marrie', and tha'z my mother."

After a reverent silence Chester spoke: "And lived long and happily
together?"

"Yes, a long, beautiful life. Maybe that life woul'n' be of a
diztinction sufficient to you, but to them, yes. They are gone but
since lately."

"And that Lefevre house?"

"Ah, you know! Full of Italian'--ten-twelve familie', with washing on
street veranda eight day ev'ry week. _Pauvre vieux carre_!"

XLII

MELANIE

"I suppose," Chester said, breaking another silence, "you and that
mother, and your father, have sat in the flowery sunshine of this old
plaza together----"

"A thousan' time'," the ironworker replied, mused a bit, and added: "My
frien', you are a so patient listener as I never see. Biccause I know
you are all that time waiting for a differen' story. And now--I shall
tell you that?"

"Yes, however it hits me I've got to know it."

"Well, after that, a year and half, I am born. I grow up. I 'ave
brother' and sizter'. We all get marrie', and they, they are scatter'
over the face of Louisiana. But me, I'm the oldest and my father take
great trouble in educating me to sugceed him in his businezz, and so I
did, like you see. And the same with Dubroca and with Castanado--Ducatel
he's different he's come into that antique businezz by his mizfortune and
he's--oh, he's all right only he's not of the same inspiration to be of
that li'l' clique. He's up-town Creole and with the up-town Creole mind.
And those De l'Isle' they also got a son, and Mme. Alexandre she have a
very amiable daughter; and, laz', not leazt, you know, those
Chapdelaine'----"

"I certainly do," Chester murmured.

"Yes, assuredlie," said Beloiseau. "Well, now: In those generation'
befo' there was in Royal Street--and Bourbon--and Dauphine--bisside'
crozz-street'--so many of our--I ignore the Englizh word