We do not wish to seem inhospitable, neither the baby nor I, but really we do not feel justified in harboring people incapable of carrying the Ninth Ward." We explained and pleaded and apologized and promised, but for a long time to no avail.

At last, after the dinner-bell had sounded, and after we had pledged ourselves to carry that ward yet or perish, we were admitted, only then, though, as was explained, for the child's sake.

He was accustomed to climb upon his father after dinner.
So carrying the Ninth Ward became a synonym for any difficult feat with us, and if Grant accomplished this or that, or I made a good turn, or Jean gave her cook or dressmaker an inspiration, the Ninth Ward was referred to as having been carried.

And here was that ward before us again in a greater emergency, and in its own proper person.
Gunderson had a wife.

He would have owned two wives had the one in his possession been surveyed and subdivided properly, for she was big enough, abundantly, for two.