Chapter Footnotes:
[1] ¡Maldito luto! Confound (or damn) mourning! Maldito, -a is a familiar expression in Spanish which is not under the social ban to which its English counterpart is subjected.
[2] la vecina de al lado, the next-door neighbor.
[3] Si está en mi mano, If it is in my power.
[4] todo no ha de ser penas, grief is not the only thing.
[5] jóvenes decentes, respectable young people.
[6] que se vistan, let them dress now.
[7] medio día, middle of the day.
[8] las niñas, pase, the children may (possibly) go.
[9] luto riguroso, the deepest mourning.