us! Look!"

But before they could turn the carriage door had slammed.

Redding took them into a small apartment, curtained off from the
rest of the cafe, so that only the waiters commented on the strange
party. At first there was oppressive silence; then the host turned
to Europena and asked her what she liked best to eat. A moment of
torture ensued for the small lady, during which she nearly twisted
her thumb from its socket, then she managed to gasp:

"Green pups!"

Mr. Bob laughed. "Why, you little cannibal!" he said. "What on earth
does she mean?"

"Cream puffs," explained Mrs. Wiggs, airily. "She et 'em onct at
Mrs. Reed's, the Bourbon Stock Yard's wife, an' she's been talkin'
'bout 'em ever sence."

After this the ice, while not broken, at least had a crack in it,
and by the time the first course was served Redding was telling them
a funny story, and three of the audience were able to smile. It had
pleased him to order an elaborate supper, and he experienced the
keenest enjoyment over the novelty of the situation. The Wiggses ate
as he had never seen people eat before. "For speed and durability
they break the record," was his mental comment. He sat by and, with
consummate tact, made them forget everything but the good time they
were having.