Page:Creole Sketches.djvu/60

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30
CREOLE SKETCHES

rent my house to everybody, monsieur. Oh, no, no, No!!" (crescendo).

He — "But what is the rent of —"

She — (imperiously, terrifying him into silence with a flash of her black eyes) — "Do not interrupt me, monsieur. Three things I require from a tenant. Do you know what the first is? No? — then I will tell you. Cash, Cash, Cash! (crescendo) — right here in my hand — in advance — ah, yes, all the time in advance."

He (very timidly) — "Yes, certainly — I know — of course! — I expected; — but what is —"

She (in a voice like the deepest tone of a passionately agitated harp) — "Attends, donc, monsieur. The second thing which I require from a tenant is a guarantee that he will stay. Ah, yes! I am not one of those who rent houses for a week, or a month, or six months, Mon Dieu, non! I must have people who stay, stay, stay