The peon’s manner underwent a remarkable change.
“Perhaps the señora has a few tortillas,” he said. “I’ll go and see.”
He turned and quickly entered the house, returning in a minute to say that there were both tortillas—corn
cakes—and beans, and inviting the boys to alight.
“There is no room in my casa,” he said, “but, if the young señores will be satisfied to go into the kitchen, I will make a fire and the señora will get them something to eat.”
The boys needed no second bidding, and, quickly dismounting, they threw their bridle-reins over some cactus growing about, and went inside.
“I’d rather eat out of doors,” declared Billie, after looking the place over.
“So would I,” said Adrian, “if it were not for the rain.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” ventured Donald philosophically, “I’ve seen worse places than this. Do you remember the Zunis?”
“It was always dry there,” declared Billie.