story--of my _grand'mére_, 'Maud'; how did you like that?"

"It left me in love with your _grand'mére_."

"Notwithstanding she became what they used to call--you know the word."

"Yes, 'nigger-stealer.' How did you ever add that to your English?"

"My father _was_ one. Right here in Royal Street. Hotel St. Louis.
Else he might never have married my--that's too long to tell here."

"May I not hear it soon, at your home?"

"Assuredly. Sooner or later. My aunts they are born raconteurs."

"Oh! your aunts. Hem! Do you know? I had an uncle who once was your
grandfather's sort of robber, though a Southerner born and bred."

"Yes, Ovide's wife told me. Will you permit me a question?"

"No," laughed Chester, "but I can answer it. Yes. Those four poor
runaways to whom your sweet Maud showed the clock in the sky were the
same four my uncle helped on--oh, you've not heard it, and it also is
too long. I can lend you his 'Memorandum' if you'll have it."

She hesitated. "N-no," she said. "Ah, no! I couldn't bear that
responsibility! Listen; Mr. Smith is going to tell a war story of the
city."

But no, that gentleman's story was yet another too long for the moment