"Have you learned yet to play the flute or violin, Jose?" Antonio asked.
"Yes, Antonio, I can play the violin a little."
"Run to the house, bring both violin and flute. You can play the one, and I will see if I have forgotten what I knew about the other."
Away sped Jose. Returning, he gave Antonio the flute, keeping the violin. Then for an hour the brothers played, not by note but by ear, the simple, sweet melodies of the country-side. The Portuguese people are lovers of music as of flowers. Each farmer, peasant, shepherd and charcoal-burner has his guitar or violin, his pipe or flute.
Jose's violin notes were true and liquid. The old violin—it had been his grandfather's—was rich-toned. Presently Antonio laid aside the flute and listened to the little brother's playing.
CHAPTER V
THE HUSKING OF THE MAIZE
"If all the year were playing holidays,
To sport would be as tedious as to work."
—William Shakespeare.
Jose and Antonio, Malfada and Joanna worked side by side those busy days of the next two weeks. They gathered and trod the grapes. They cut and carried through the threshing-floor great sheaves of maize and of bean-stalks, leaving them to dry there in readiness for the threshing. The girls were active and willing, strong and cheerful. Both girls and boys worked with the eager purpose of helping the invalid father and the mother so wearied with constant care of the sick man and the young child.