m spring evenings that sometimes make New
Orleans fear it will have no May. The baker's wife stood with her
immense red hands thrust into the pockets of an expansive pinafore, and
her three double chins glistening with perspiration. She bade her
manager a pleasant good-evening.

Richling inquired how she had left her husband.

"Kviet, Mr. Richlin', kviet. Mr. Richlin', I pelief Reisen kittin
petter. If he don't gittin' better, how come he'ss every day a little
more kvieter, and sit' still and don't say nutting to nobody?"

"Mrs. Reisen, my wife is asking me to send for her"--Richling gave the
folded letter a little shake as he held it by one corner--"to come down
here and live again."

"Now, Mr. Richlin'?"

"Yes."

"Well, I will shwear!" She dropped into a seat. "Right in de bekinning
o' summer time! Vell, vell, vell! And you told me Mrs. Richling is a
sentsible voman! Vell, I don't belief dat I efer see a young voman w'at
aint de pickest kind o' fool apowt her hussbandt. Vell, vell!--And she
comin' down heah 'n' choost kittin' all your money shpent, 'n' den her
mudter kittin' vorse 'n' she got 'o go pack akin!"

"Why, Mrs. Reisen," exclaimed Richling, warmly. "you speak as if you
didn't want her to come." He contrived to smile as he finished.

"Vell,--of--course! _You_ don't vant her to come, do you?"

Richling forced a laugh.

"Seems to me 'twould be natural if I did, Mrs. Reisen. Didn't the
preacher say, when we were married, 'Let no man put asunder'?"

"Oh, now, Mr. Richlin', dere aindt nopotty a-koin' to put you
under!--'less-n it's your vife. Vot she want to come down for? Don't I
takin' koot care you?" There was a tear in her eye as she went out.

An hour or so later the little rector dropped in.

"Richling, I came to see if I did any damage the last time I was here.
My own words worried me."

"You were afraid," responded Richling, "that I would understand you to
recommend me to send for my wife."

"Yes."

"I didn't understand you so."

"Well, my mind's relieved."

"Mine isn't," said Richling. He laid down his pen and gathered his
fingers around one knee. "Why shouldn't I send for her?"

"You will, some day."

"But I mean now."

The clergyman shook his head pleasantly.

"I don't think that's what you mean."

"Well, let that pass. I know what I do mean. I mean to get out of this
business. I've lived long enough with these savages." A wave of his hand
indicated the whole _personnel_ o