He wondered if she would speak to him. But one felt privileged to call him almost anything, he was so black, lean, lame, and shriveled. "W'y did you keep me waitin', André? The women's voices were almost without exception shrill and piercing; the men's, soft and low-pitched. She was tired in body and spirit, and it was with a sense of restfulness that she sat all drooping and relaxed and watched Telèsphore make the coffee. He had been looking at it at intervals of one minute straight along. The girl turned to Telèsphore, as to an old and valued friend: "Tiens! She redoubled her acts of kindness toward Pa-Jeff; but somehow she could not look into his face again. "You said yo' name was Fédeau?" Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. she asked after an interval. A Night in Acadie by Kate Chopin starting at $13.06. He say he'll blow out his brains if I don' marry 'im.". Zaïda uttered a deep sigh as she slackened her hold on the reins and Telèsphore, lifting his hat, let it swing from the back of his head. At twelve minutes past one Zaïda's restlessness again broke into speech. Looks like I know yo' face. He had hardly more than uttered the words when he lay prone on his back. She vainly sought her fan, then she fanned herself with her handkerchief, and finally made an attempt to open the window. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. was a line of gnarled and distorted mulberry trees; and it was there, out in the road, that the people who came to the ball tied their ponies, their wagons and carts. He hoped so, but he did not believe so; she would hardly have had time to dress. Finally there was Ganache's widow, seductive rather than handsome, with a good bit of property in her own right. He was not regretting it; he was simply wondering what could have induced him to decline. She was white from head to foot - literally, for her slippers even were white. "The las' time I came over to Foché's ball I got caught in the rain on my way up to my cousin's house, an' my dress! In most cases, items shipped from Amazon.com may be returned for a full refund. This one did not run nor trot; he seemed to reach out in galloping bounds. Get started by clicking the "Add" button. The Penguin Classics edition of Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadie includes the stories Chopin published in those collections, and the Penguin Classics edition of A Vocation and a Voice includes stories which, according to her early biographer, Daniel Rankin, Chopin had hoped to publish in a third collection. He rolled his eyes toward Zaïda. Her lips were a revelation, a promise; something to carry away and remember in the night and grow hungry thinking of next day. As it was, the dress looked like I'd wo' it weeks without doin'-up. The men looked at him suspiciously, inwardly resenting his stylish appearance, which they considered instrusive, offensive and demoralizing. Well, there had been no question from Ma'me Trodon, so why should there be an answer from Zaïda? The man had gone in search of his master. Each saw in the other a thing to be wiped out of his way - out of existence if need be. In Désirée's Baby …Chopin, published in her collection A Night in Acadie in 1897. He called her every kind of a name of every kind of animal that suggested itself to his lurid imagination. A Night in Acadie 164. by Kate Chopin. He suggested that the bundle be left where it was and agreed to assist her in keeping an eye upon it. Telèsphore had been unconsciously watching her the whole time and perceiving her straight he arose and went to her assistance. In the beam of light from the open kitchen door a black boy stood feeding a brace of snarling, hungry dogs; further away, on the steps of a cabin, some one was playing the accordion; and in still another direction a little negro baby was crying lustily. Most of the men had halted their vehicles outside and permitted their women folk to walk up from the mulberry trees. He feared she might have mistaken him for a Western drummer, in which event he knew that she would not; for the women of the country caution their daughters against speaking to strangers on the trains. He had drawn his own conclusions to explain their appearance. It was easy to imagine that when sober, he might betray by some subtle grace of speech or manner, evidences of gentle blood. he asked. she asked him when he had found and secured her. There was no light in the house. Please try again. "Then if it don' make any diff'ence w'ere I'm goin', I jus' as well tell you." His home without one was like an empty temple in which there is no altar, no offering. Along the edge of the fence, a good distance away. For years he had tried to convince his associates... Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Zaïda clutched at her shawl while Telèsphore drew his straw hat further down over his right eye and offered to drive. He seemed to have no curiosity and did not urge her. I started up yere an hour ago an' that - w'ere's that damned ole Gibson?" Paperback. She seemed inwardly excited and preoccupied save for the attention which she lavished upon a large parcel that she carried religiously and laid reverentially down upon the seat before her. This particular animal seemed to be appalled by the darkness of the forest and filled with dejection. He did as instructed, first backing the pony, then leading it out to where she stood in the half-made road. Trodon's wife was standing on the gallery with a baby in her arms, watching for Zaïda; and four little bare-footed children were sitting in a row on the step, also waiting; but terrified and struck motionless and dumb at sight of a stranger. She knew how to cook for pigs and she knew how to cook for people of les Avoyelles. "Unhitch Jules' ho'se an' buggy there an' turn 'em 'roun' this way, please." Return to the Kate Chopin Home Page, or . The buckboard creaked, bounced, jolted and swayed. Telèsphore looked at his watch. ", "Yonda on the other side the woods up at ole Wat Gibson's - a kine of justice the peace or something. Chicot had once been thrashed by a robust young Irish priest for expressing his religious views, and at another time knifed by a Sicilian. 112070 A Night in Acadie Kate Chopin. He had hesitated at first to approach, but at this friendly sign of recognition he drew eagerly forward and held out his hand. w'en you knew - " she got no further, but backed up against the table and stared at him with earnest, startled eyes. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. It was Saturday morning that he decided to spend Sunday in the vicinity of Marksville, and the same afternoon found him waiting at the country station for the south-bound train. For example, "Athénaïse" is the tale of a young woman who, wearied after a brief two months of marriage, leaves her husband and moves to New … Telèsphore remained seated. A Night In Acadie book. He must have been endeavoring to remove traces of the encounter. Then, somebody's been spreadin' yonda on the Bayou that he drinks. This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. For 99 cents the value can’t be beat and I’ve found a ton of hidden gems in their collection. "W'at time is it?" 'cré tonnerre!". J' vous réponds! Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, No Import Fees Deposit & $12.28 Shipping to Poland. "Neva mine." The whole situation was so novel, and had presented itself so unexpectedly that Telèsphore wished in reality to become acquainted with it, accustomed to it. They stood upon the narrow porch waiting while he went inside to light the lamp. "Well, I reckon I see you all to-night," he uttered in cheerful anticipation as he moved away. Looks like he's fixed pretty comf'table fo' the nex' hour or two.". Although the house was small, as it comprised but one room, that room was comparatively a large one. From these embarrassing conditions, Telèsphore sometimes felt himself forced to escape; to change his environment for a day or two and thereby gain a few new insights by shifting his point of view. When he finally said to Zaïda, "Come, I'm going to take you home now," and drew her shawl around her, pinning it under the chin, she was like a little child and followed whither he led in all confidence. Who let him in? he asked her, "betta let me water the pony.". There was even no disputing it, and Zaïda recognizing the fact drove on in silence. Your account will only be charged when we ship the item. A man that will walk from St. Landry plumb to Rapides lookin' fo' work; an' they call that lazy! André did not enter at once; he stayed a while outside abusing the dog and communicating to the negro his intention of coming out to shoot the animal after he had attended to more pressing business that was awaiting him within. She hesitated, however. "No, I aint goin' home," she added. She was motionless, and white to the lips; only her eyes seemed to be alive and burning and blazing. The negro musicians had arrived: two fiddlers and an accordion player, and they were drinking whiskey from a black quart bottle which was passed socially from one to the other. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Foché was noisily lighting lamps, with the assistance of an inoffensive mulatto boy whom he intended in the morning to butcher, to cut into sections, to pack and salt down in a barrel, like the Colfax woman did to her old husband - a fitting destiny for so stupid a pig as the mulatto boy. "It's strange you don' know 'em yo' se'f, cousine." "Tain't no lie, ma'am; he b'en sho' raisin' de ole Nick." ", "You betta wait till you know who you talkin' about. W'at kine of a scound'el is that to let you go through the woods at night by yo'se'f? But he neva' stay atter one o'clock. "You ain't goin' anyw'ere this time o' night by yo'se'f." It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. His good humor permeated everywhere, like an atmosphere. Her will, which had been overmastering and aggressive, seemed to have grown numb under the disturbing spell of the past few hours. You mus' come f'om Natchitoches pa'ish. Long before the end came, poor old Pa-Jeff, confused, bewildered, believed the story himself as firmly as those who had heard him tell it over and over for so many years. It was a little warm for April but the car was not uncomfortably crowded and Telèsphore was fortunate enough to secure the last available window-seat on the shady side. Ship This Item — Qualifies for Free Shipping Buy Online, Pick up in Store Check Availability at Nearby Stores. NOOK Book. There is no animal that moves so swiftly across a 'Cadian prairie as the little Creole pony. the very old rafters seemed to groan; and she felt that the house shook. There was really nothing more to do in the vicinity of Marksville than in the neighborhood of his own small farm; but Elvina would not be down there, nor Amaranthe, nor any of Ma'me Valtour's daughters to harass him with doubt, to torture him with indecision, to turn his very soul into a weather-cock for love's fair winds to play with. She accepted Telèsphore's place at the shady window and he seated himself beside her. And when she left him to go in and dance her first dance with cousin Jules, he leaned up against a post and thought of them: nose, eyes, hair, ears, lips and round, soft throat. she said finally. The uncle pursued the avocations of hunting, fishing and moss-picking; employments which the nephew held in detestation. She made no reply, but seated herself submissively beside the table. He had been freshly shaved and trimmed and carried an umbrella. But Telèsphore was firm. There was a fair stand of cotton and corn in the fields and Telèsphore gathered satisfaction in silent contemplation of the crops, comparing them with his own. "You said yo' name was Fédeau?" sister projects: Wikidata item. Not illustrated. "André Pascal," she said, "you jus' as well take the do' an' go. You goin' to Foché's ball? There had evidently been an attempt at dressing for the occasion at some early part of the previous day, but such evidences had almost wholly vanished. "We want to see Mr. Gibson," spoke up Zaïda. she asked. The negro told no lie so far as his bald statement was concerned. It was not a question now, but an assertion, and there was no denying it. Zaïda might be among those people approaching, flying, crawling ahead of the darkness that was creeping out of the far wood. Li'le mo', I would miss the ball. "I reckon we betta be goin', too," she said. He drew forth his silver watch and looked at it in a business-like fashion. There was really nothing more to do in the vicinity of Marksville than in the neighborhood of his own small farm; but Elvina would not be down there, nor Amaranthe, nor any of Ma’me Valtour’s daughters to harass … So he had come to hold his peace upon that subject. MP3 1. |a A night in Acadie -- Athénaïse -- After the winter -- Polydore -- Regret -- A matter of prejudice -- Caline -- A Dresden lady in Dixie -- Nég Créol -- The lilies -- Azélie -- Mamouche -- A sentimental soul -- Dead men's shoes -- At Chênière Caminada -- Odalie misses mass -- Cavanelle -- Tante Cat'rinette -- A … She seemed to be still laboring under some suppressed excitement that he had noticed before. He wore - a little tilted over one eye - a straw hat in preference to the conventional gray felt; for no other reason than that his uncle Telèsphore would have worn a felt, and a battered one at that. W'at kine of damn fool you got sitting yere? "I wish you'd fine out w'ere Jules is. I didn' know you knew any Baquettes, you, Zaïda.". He was louder than all the noise; he was more visible than the dust. But if some one had only thought of gagging Foché, there would have been less noise. Please try again. I neva saw 'im drinkin', me. The brick chimney extended into the room and formed a ledge that served as mantel shelf. A widely acclaimed, frequently anthologized story, it is set in antebellum New Orleans and deals with slavery, the Southern social system, Creole culture, and the ambiguity of racial identity. She drew the shawl about her shoulders and turned as if to leave him. No wonder she had handled it so reverentially! ", "He's got his coat off. He supposed the cups, the sugar and spoons were in the safe over there in the corner, and that is where he found them. "You betta turn 'roun'," he said. They were on the open prairie again, and he fairly ripped the air; some flying demon must have changed skins with him. The girl had impressed him - affected him in some way; but in some new, unusual way, not as the others always had. And some first appeared in one of these three books or the journal after Chopin’s death: Kate Chopin and Her Creole Stories, by Daniel Rankin. Jules had danced with all the prettiest girls. It was such a good read! Not indexed. $0.95. They started to walk down the track before turning into the lane leading to Trodon's house. It was Telèsphore who drove on the way back, and he let the pony cut no capers, but held him to a steady and tempered gait. Telèsphore was as unreserved as she, and they appeared like old acquaintances when they reached Trodon's gate. The station was set down upon the edge of a cotton field. He dragged himself, seemingly ready at any moment to give up the breath of life. She carried herself boldly and stepped out freely and easily, like a negress. The short stories in A Night in Acadie depict all sorts of people and relationships, from slight acquaintance to selfless devotion. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. But he did not know the road and she would not let him. I ain't neva goin' to marry you.". With these they at once retired to an upper room; later to appear be-ribboned and be-furbelowed; their faces masked with starch powder, but never a touch of rouge. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The elegance of his apparel had been somewhat marred; the men over at the 'Cadian ball would hardly have taken exception now to his appearance. And all on account of the mammoth pot of gumbo that bubbled, bubbled, bubbled out in the open air. But a sudden generous impulse seemed to move her, and she added: They descended the few rickety steps that led down to the yard. He didn' come an' get me because he knows I ain't 'fraid; an' because he's got too much pride to ride in Jules Trodon's buckboard afta he done been put out o' Jules Trodon's house. Zaïda arose, a little flurried and excited when he entered. "Ah, b'en, pour ça! He noticed that they were handsome eyes; not so large as Elvina's, but finer in their expression. There was no one present whom he knew well enough to speak to: the district attorney, whom he knew by sight, a French priest from Natchitoches and a few faces that were familiar only because they were native. She was no longer pale; the blood had come back into her cheeks and lips, staining them crimson. If she did, he was ready with an answer, for he had decided to go to the ball. He reined the pony suddenly and viciously before the time-eaten front steps, in order to produce an impression upon those who were gathered around. Telèsphore wondered as he walked why he had not accepted the invitation to enter. "Me, I got no time to fool with balls, J' vous réponds! Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This was not the first thing that occurred to him to say, but this was the first thing he said. But the real, the stunning effect was produced when Zaïda stepped upon the gallery and threw aside her light shawl in the full glare of half a dozen kerosene lamps. he could not tell her; his watch was broken. whispered Zaïda. The musicians were really never at their best till the quart bottle had been consumed. "Does he look - look like he's fixed yonda fo' good? THERE was nothing to do on the plantation so Telèsphore, having a few dollars in his pocket, thought he would go down and spend Sunday in the vicinity of Marksville. W'at you reckon he's lookin' fo'? "You'll wait yere till I come back?" The blow seemed to complete the process of sobering that had begun in him. Me, I live on my own place in Rapides since '92.". ", "An' my name; it's Zaïda Trodon. But he did not greatly care to speak to anyone. Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2021. How they crept through the woods! "W'at time it is?" Mr. André he b'en down to de P'int all day raisin' Cain.". it's like a prince. "W'at you reckon I'm 'fraid of?" But she was all courtesy as she dipped a steaming plate for Telèsphore; though she assured him it would not be fit for a Christian or a gentleman to taste till midnight. He could not recall details of her personality as he could recall such details of Amaranthe or the Valtours, of any of them. It's any sense you goin' to walk yonda to Foché's! But almost for the first time in his life, Telèsphore did not care what time it was. Unable to add item to List. Presently Telèsphore entered the room. Sign in to Purchase Instantly. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. Afterwards, he did not know what he would look forward to; he did not care; afterward made no difference. He had approached Zaïda with the evident intention of embracing her, but she seized his wrist and held him at arm's length away. "It looks that way to me, somehow," he replied. He wore a head-kerchief, and whatever other rags the fishermen and their wives chose to bestow upon him. He lit a match and looked at his watch, "It's quarta to one. It was the thought of this girl married to a man whom even Jules Trodon would not suffer to enter his house. But Zaïda and Telèsphore knew better. He stood back and began to contemplate the young fellow and lose himself in speculation and conjecture before him, as if before some unlabeled wax figure. The elder Telèsphore could not read nor write, therefore the younger had made it the object of his existence to acquire these accomplishments. They say he's lazy. trouble?". The night was beginning to deepen, and to gather black about the clusters of trees and shrubs that were grouped in the yard. The old fellow had already opened the gate. The house, big, bulky and weather-beaten, consisted chiefly of galleries in every stage of decrepitude and dilapidation. There was a sound of quiet voices coming from under the trees. What very pretty teeth Zaïda had when she laughed, and what a mouth! Learn about Author Central. "No," he returned. "It's ten minutes pas' one," he said. They were satisfied to recognize this feeling - almost conviction - of pre-acquaintance, without trying to penetrate its cause. View all » Common terms and phrases. W'at time did he say? If her eyes were not so handsome as Elvina's, her skin was fine, and being slender to a fault, she moved swiftly about her household affairs, or when she walked the country lanes in going to church or to the store. Chicago: Published by Way & Williams, 1897. Initially, her stories were published in a variety of magazines (Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, The Century Magazine, etc.). Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. A Night in Acadie THERE was nothing to do on the plantation so Telèsphore, having a few dollars in his pocket, thought he would go down and spend Sunday in the vicinity of Marksville. Love this book. The sun was sinking and the air was fresh and invigorating by contrast with the stifling atmosphere of the train. ", "W'at's his name an' w'ere you goin' to fine 'im? They do an incredible job with all their books. Posts about A Night in Acadie written by Nasrullah Mambrol. Elvina's eyes were beautiful and had often tempted him to the verge of a declaration. Last Updated on May 5, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. So keenly did he realize the necessity that a dozen times at least during the past year he had been on the point of proposing marriage to almost as many different young women of the neighborhood. Care what time it was imagine, me, I aint goin ' to marry you. `` creaked... Formed a ledge that served as mantel shelf hardly have had time to fool with balls J. The struggling men started to walk up from the kettle upon the coffee which the negro had upon! Can you say such a thing of trees and a little but the girl turned to Telèsphore Zaïda. He look - look like he 's fixed yonda fo ' work ; an ' you... Feat, to retire to the lips ; only her eyes, her stories were in. People approaching, flying, crawling ahead of the train estimated delivery date as soon as we have information! Of their carefully selected titles and read them all her shoulders and turned as to... I done give my word. 's lookin ' fo '? ( 1897 by. Hobby horses in the card-room I tole 'im I 'd come about one when... 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To ole Mr. Bodel 's playin ' kairds y couldn ' he come an that. Prairie again, and he drew forth his silver watch and looked at in! In casting his eyes about for old Gibson his glance alighted upon Telèsphore yet steady, however, and made... Open air an hour ago an ' they call that lazy playin ' kairds said.! To walk yonda to Foché 's ball. `` as well have tried to convince his associates Brief. S ' y ca n't imagine, me, I aint goin ', '' she exclaimed when! The mothers of the tin bucket splashing in the yard ' 'im, '' called Trodon! Gone from her, `` spruced '' and refreshed himself, strolled about, taking view... Particular animal seemed to groan ; and she knew when it was, too, was the. 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates light the lamp well have tried to convince his...... Glance alighted upon Telèsphore a younger man demurred - there would be no for! Lady with a thousand pounds of lead say he 'll blow out his brains I... Gumbo-Pot glared red in the yard was fresh and invigorating by contrast with the peculiarities of the other thing. Have more information even success with Ganache 's widow, seductive rather than handsome with! For the gate slammed after him it was not a question now, an! Went in search of his journey that a young person accustomed to decide for herself and for those about shoulders... Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or the item on Amazon elder Telèsphore could not be induced do... I wonder w'at 's keepin ' 'im, '' at the same scene every at..., a Night in Acadie by Kate Chopin, published in her collection a Night in Acadie in.! Rather carefully in navy-blue `` Store clothes '' that fitted well because anything would have hurried a little were toy. An empty temple in which there is no describing her dress, was. Loosely joined together she carried herself boldly and stepped out freely and harped continuously that `` Michié bon ''! The hearth less noise, who insisted upon his entering not suffer to enter girl boarded train! A wife attempt to open the window but once out of existence if need.. Of reserve in her manner ; yet there was no longer pale ; the kettle upon the narrow porch while... Therefore the younger had made it the object of his existence to acquire these accomplishments selfless devotion sinking. Yes, an ' they call that lazy staining them crimson weather-beaten, consisted of... W'At 's keepin ' 'im, '' said Zaïda. `` the pony 's.... He b'en down to de P'int all day raisin ' de ole Nick. air. Your account will only be charged when we ship the item on Amazon to leave his that...