Dampening the spirits of the line outside the Café du Monde. But I loved it, and loved the scent of the dust rising from the wet street. I moved to the head of the line, and dazzled the waiter in charge to believe I had some special right to a table now, a simple little trick of words and charm and soon I was seated in the midst of the throng, and with my hand locked on a hot mug of café au lait.
