“Even if I had to gnaw my own bones, my last crust of bread should still be for him.”
“He is well worth it,” said Juliana, slowly, with a cold smile. But one could see that she was jealous of this sentiment of the cook’s, and of the pleasure it gave her.
“Yes, he is worth it!” Joanna repeated, with some violence.
“A handsome young man,—the one who came to-day to see the mistress,” said Juliana. “Better looking than the husband! And you say he stayed here more than two hours?”
“He went away, as I already told you, just as you came in.”
At this moment the light of the kerosene lamp went out, diffusing through the room a disagreeable odor and a blackish smoke.
“Good-night, Senhora Joanna; I am going to say my prayers,” said Juliana.
The cook lay down with so hasty a movement that all the joints of her bed creaked.
“Good-night, Senhora Juliana; I am going to say the rosary. Oh, Senhora Juliana,” she added, “if you would say three aves for the health of my sweetheart, who has been sick, I would say as many for you that you might get better of your ailments.”
“Agreed, Senhora Joanna!” said Juliana. But after a moment’s reflection she added, “My chest is better now, but I have severe pains in the head. Pray to Saint Engracia that I may get rid of the pains in the head.”