The girl took a few steps, then timidly struck out with her stick, only to miss the piñata by several feet.
“Don’t be afraid,” called Pepito. “Go closer.”
Florence smiled. “No, she gets only one turn this time. You come on, Pepito, and try.”
With his black eyes shining Pepito stepped forward to be blindfolded. Jo Ann was delighted to see how much stronger he seemed to be and was as pleased as he when he hit the piñata, even though he did not succeed in breaking it.
Jo Ann and Peggy clapped their hands in applause, and the little Mexican children, thinking that was part of the game, timidly followed their example.
Before all of the children had had a turn in trying to hit the piñata, Carlitos came running up to the porch, his hands and face streaked with the black charcoal dust.
Pepito pointed up to the piñata. “Look, Carlitos, a piñata! And I hit it!” He went on rapidly to explain about the game.
With the keenest interest the three girls watched Carlitos’ face brighten and his blue eyes sparkle bluer than ever against the black of his face.
“I’ll break it for you, Pepito,” he replied confidently.
Peggy turned to Jo Ann and Florence, smiling. “Say, Jo, your little blue-eyed Mexican seems to have turned into a little nigger. Don’t you think you’d better introduce him to some soap and water before the refreshments?”