Francisco, at first, was very much distressed because Guillerma was to live in Mendoza, as that fertile province is the seat of numerous earthquake disturbances. Scarcely a month passes that the inhabitants are not startled by one, and as a rule they sleep with open doors to insure a quick exit in case one occurs during the night.
But Guillerma assured him she did not fear them, as there had been no serious ones since 1861, and when she began telling him of the beautiful home she would have, surrounded by wide vineyards and orchards of olives and figs, where he could come to visit her, and with Elena play just as they pleased, he became better reconciled to her marriage.
He was very busy, himself, for Carnival, the great festival, came early this year, and never before had he had so much money to spend in its celebration.
He and José and Manuel had divided the reward money they had received for capturing the horsetail thieves, and Francisco felt very proud of his share of it. He and Elena had counted it over and over, and planned how each peso should be spent. Each one of the family, including the servant, should have a gift, and the balance would be their own to use as they chose for the celebration of the greatest fiesta of the whole year.
As in many Roman Catholic countries, Carnival comes during the week preceding Lent; and although it is really a church festival, it is the least religious of any celebration, whether of church or state.
In Buenos Aires everything dates from it and everything stops for it; even business is suspended. It is a festival of merriment and revelry, and every house and every street is decorated before its arrival in flags, banners, streamers and lanterns. There are processions and continuous parades, with crowds of people in masks and dominoes, blowing horns, dancing and singing.
This year, Francisco and Elena were to be allowed to enter the corso or Carnival parade, and Uncle Juan had offered his motor car, which was to be decorated with garlands of paper flowers; José was to be their chaperon and Enrique would drive the car.
Elena and Francisco owned their little costumes, which they had used on previous occasions, but as they had their own money this year, they had decided to buy new ones to wear in the parade.
"ELENA AND FRANCISCO WERE DRESSED AND READY."