And taking hold of one of the precious curls of hair, she cut it off with the scissors.
"Leave go, Paula!" cried the child, "I am going to tell godmother."
"Yes, precious, go and tell your godmother, indeed? All right, you shall tell her when it is done."
And paying no further heed to her protestations, and letting the words fall on deaf ears, she went on with the task quite undisturbed. But the child got down again, angry and furious. Then Paula called the sempstress Concha to her assistance, and she held her down on the chair until she was despoiled of every one of her curls, after which they arranged what was left as best they could.
"What a pity!" said the laundress again.
"It is not so bad, child," returned Paula, combing it with admiration.
At that moment the señora appeared at the door of the room.
"Godmother! come godmother! Look, Paula and Concha have cut my hair."
Amalia advanced some steps, avoiding the child's gaze, fixed her stern eyes upon her head and said in an imperious and cold tone:
"That is not right. Shave it off."