—"Cyrillia, mafi," I asked her one day, after my discovery of the little Virgin,—"would you not like me to buy a chapelle for you?" The chapelle is the little bracket-altar, together with images and ornaments, to be found in every creole bedroom.
—"Mais non, Missié," she answered, smiling, "moin aimein ti Viège moin, pa lè gagnin dautt. I love my little Virgin: do not want any other. I have seen much trouble: she was with me in my trouble;—she heard my prayers. It would be wicked for me to throw her away. When I have a sou to spare, I buy flowers for her;—when I have no money, I climb the mornes, and pick pretty buds for her.... But why should Missié want to buy me a chapelle?—Missié is a Protestant?"
—"I thought it might give you pleasure, Cyrillia."
—"No, Missié, I thank you; it would not give me pleasure. But Missié could give me something else which would make me very happy—I often thought of asking Missié...but—"
CREOLE WOMEN
In their gay dresses with their brilliant "maárases" and "foulards they seem always in gala array.
—"Tell me what it is, Cyrillia."
She remained silent a moment, then said:—
—"Missié makes photographs...."