“We will amend the law.
Men shall come in as before without let or hindrance, but women only accompanied by their husbands or with their written consent.”
He saw the look of consternation which his secretaries gave him, and he waved his hand.
“But the immigration authorities shall receive instructions to interpret the word husband with the widest latitude.”
“Maria Santisima!” cried Madame Coralie.
“If they come with a friend he will take care that no one else interferes with them and our customers will return to the houses where for so long they have been so hospitably entertained.
Don Manuel, you are a great man and one of these days they will erect a statue to you.”
It is often the simplest expedients that settle the most formidable difficulties.
The law was briefly amended according to the terms of Don Manuel’s suggestion and, whereas prosperity continued to pour its blessings on the wide and sunny capital of this free and independent state, Madame Coralie was enabled profitably to pursue her useful avocations, Carmencita’s two daughters completed their expensive education in the convent at New Orleans, and La Gorda’s son successfully graduated at Harvard.