Part 8 (1/2)
Frowenfeld put up his materials.
”Mr. Frowenfeld, are these your books? I mean do you use these books?”
”Yes, sir.”
The Creole stepped back to the door.
”Agricola!”
”_Quoi_!”
”_Vien ici_.”
Citizen Fusilier entered, followed by a small volley of retorts from those with whom he had been disputing, and who rose as he did. The stranger said something very sprightly in French, running the back of one finger down the rank of books, and a lively dialogue followed.
”You must be a great scholar,” said the unknown by and by, addressing the apothecary.
”He is a professor of chimistry,” said the old man.
”I am nothing, as yet, but a student,” said Joseph, as the three returned into the shop; ”certainly not a scholar, and still less a professor.” He spoke with a new quietness of manner that made the younger Creole turn upon him a pleasant look.
”H-my young friend,” said the patriarch, turning toward Joseph with a tremendous frown, ”when I, Agricola Fusilier, p.r.o.nounce you a professor, you are a professor. Louisiana will not look to _you_ for your credentials; she will look to me!”
He stumbled upon some slight impediment under foot. There were times when it took but little to make Agricola stumble.
Looking to see what it was, Joseph picked up a silken purse. There was a name embroidered on it.
CHAPTER XI
SUDDEN FLASHES OF LIGHT
The day was nearly gone. The company that had been chatting at the front door, and which in warmer weather would have tarried until bedtime, had wandered off; however, by stepping toward the light the young merchant could decipher the letters on the purse. Citizen Fusilier drew out a pair of spectacles, looked over his junior's shoulder, read aloud, ”_Aurore De G. Nanca_--,” and uttered an imprecation.
”Do not speak to me!” he thundered; ”do not approach me! she did it maliciously!”
”Sir!” began Frowenfeld.
But the old man uttered another tremendous malediction and hurried into the street and away.
”Let him pa.s.s,” said the other Creole calmly.
”What is the matter with him?” asked Frowenfeld.
”He is getting old.” The Creole extended the purse carelessly to the apothecary. ”Has it anything inside?”
”But a single pistareen.”
”That is why she wanted the _basilic_, eh?”