The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1919-11-08


most friendly grin Andrea had ever
seen, and without waiting for the
smiling answer of her eyes was or
like an arrow.
SO taken up was Andrea with watch
ing the white man as he issued rapid
fire of orders to mis- remaining lieu
tenants that when Bathtub returned,
Saluted and led her beneath the les
ser of the acacia trees she could not
believe her eyes for they showed her
Il canvas wash basin on stills, clean
towel laid over the back of chair, an
other chair before a camp table LAID
with a clean cloth and burdened with
two sizzling fried eggs, hot toast, mar
malade, a pot of tea and an absurd
squat bottle with the stems of Wild
flowers rammed down its throat.
She took off her cloak and Bathtub
promptly hung it to air over a low
branch of the tree then, while she
bathed her face and hands, he stood
by with the towel, and when she was
through with that he drew her chair
for her and poured her tea. Children
began crowding around. He drove
them back, and, dragging his toe,
marked a wide circle on the ground
with the table as center.
Up to that mark and no farther
came the children and squatted in
staring but silent ring. Andrea sat
down and gazed over their heads at
the kraal in general and at the white
man in particular, for from him ra-
dated an activity incredible in com
parison with the languor that had pre-
coded it. Her eyes fell to the table
and she realized two things: she was
unusually, marvelously hungry and
the table was set for one.
Doesn't your master eat?" she
asked Of Bathtub.
my master makes ready Gaia for
missis."
"What is 'caiaY"
Bathtub frowned in an effort to
catch up with word that was on the
verge Of escaping from his meager
vocabulary. "House!" he suddenly ex-
ploded and grinned with satisfaction.
Andrea lowered the fork that was
half way to her mouth. makes ready
house-for met" Her eyes mar
rOwed. II will not need house. Tell
him."
Bathtub's grin broadened. Sorry,
Missis," he said, claw like that; ev-
cry Missis one hut, every hut one tax"
Andrea stared at him open-mouthed
and then blushed furiously. 81 mean
that 1 will not stay here" she ex-
planned angrily Tell your master l
wish to speak with him-at once.
Wait minute. You call him Msungo.
What does that mean?'
"White man." said Bathtub, and de-
parted to call his master.
The white man gave last order
and then Obeyed Andrea's summons.
AS he stepped into the shade of the
acacia he took off his hat and mopped
his wet brow. TOO bad we can't keep
COOL like the morning" he said.
Il didn't send for you to talk about
the weather." said. Andrea. you have
been raining orders; now let me give
just one. You are to get that machine
in shape and take me back now
today"
The mans eyes met her gaze stead
lily but gradually his body began to
tremble. He put one hand out to the
spare chair as though to steady him
self. II want you to believe me-" he
said in a low voice, when / tell you
that what you ask is impossible"
He turned as though to leave her.
"Wait," cried Andrea. There was
something in the way he spoke that
even went beyond persuasion and
robbed her Of her mainstay-her an
ger against him. But" she STAN
mered and stopped. "Oh, what is to
become of me?"
"If could take you back | would
now" said the man duly. when you
asked to come with me l knew OF
course that you were unaware Of the
fact that was not returning. An i'm