Carmella Commands
“Yes! Mrs. Barrington’s residence.”
“Hel-lo!” panted Maria.
“Whom do you wish, madame?” asked the voice.
“I veesh spik Mees Barringtone—talk with she.”
“Who is it speaking, please, madame?”
Maria’s English lessons had progressed to a point where she understood much more than she dared try to speak. She gave her name.
“Pardon, madame,” came the voice. “I do not quite understand. Would you please be so good as to repeat the name?”
“Mees Coletta. Col-et-ta! Less’n! You tell Mees Bar-ring-tone it ees mother of Carmella. She know.”
“Please hold the wire,” said the voice. Maria panted with fatigue as she waited. Then came Mrs. Barrington’s voice:
“Yes, Mrs. Coletta. This is Mrs. Barrington.”
Maria took a long breath and began:
“Mees Bar-ring-tone. You ask Carmella to you to-mor-row. Ees it not?”
“Yes, indeed, Mrs. Coletta, and I hope you’ll let her come.”
“Mees Bar-ring-tone, if she come you not say I spika Een-glish? You not say I taka de les-sone? You not say eet? No?”
There was an instant’s hesitation as Mrs. Barrington deciphered the language and accent. Then:
“Of course not, Mrs. Coletta. I will not say one
[232]
