Halo Statue<br /> <br /> Dear Downhome:<br /> <br /> Here is a cute little story my late dad told me which I thought your readers would enjoy. It centers on the NL dialect, which can sometimes lead to confusion. <br /> <br /> It seems that Uncle Garge, a very prosperous merchant from an outport along the coast, decided he would have a mansion built in St. John's where he eventually planned to retire. He contacted a contractor and laid out his plans. One thing he was very specific about was that he wanted a "halo statue" in one corner of every room. A month or so before the retirement date he went to St. John's to check on the progress of the project. The contractor showed him around the house. After he finished Uncle Garge asked, &quot;where are the "halo statues"? The contractor pointed to the lovely statues of the Virgin Mary in the corner of every room. Uncle Garge replied, "Naw, das not what I wanted. I wanted one of dem tings that hangs on da wall and you puts up to yer mouth and ear and says 'Hallo, Stat You?'" <br /> <br /> Only in Newfoundland. <br /> <br /> John Cornick<br /> Halifax, Nova Scotia<br />   Submitted By: John Cornick