“That was very nice of Maria.” He laughed. “Only, I’m afraid there’s nothing doing. Girls of this size get me going, but after they grow up—somehow I lose interest.”
It was an awesome confession to make to a girl whose mirror reflected far more than the average of feminine looks. Like a stag of ten tines that paws the forest mold in the pride of freedom, he had marked himself for the slaughter. It was the due of her sex that his pride be humbled. The soft glow changed to a gleam; but her attention was drawn just then by the prattle of two children who, unaware of the proximity of the parties of the first and second part, were conducting a make-believe housekeeping around the corner.
“Now I shall be Don Gor-r-r-don, and thou the señorita,” came a voice, gruff with masculine authority. “Only we be married.”
“But will they be married, Pancho?” piped a softer treble.
“Si, that will they. Only an hour ago I heard thy mother and old ’Lupe talking at the well. ‘Is not Don Gor-r-r-don a fine man, and she a woman with never a duenna to her name? ’Tis shocking, Amalia, but gringo blood runs colder than Spanish; their ways are not ours. Yet, cold or hot, this may not end without marriage.’ This is what old ’Lupe said to thy mother.”
Rich color swept from the roots of Lee’s hair down to her neck. She hastily hid it from the observation of the party of the first part; then, remembering that his Spanish was still confined to a few jerky sentences, she regained her composure.
“Woman!” “Don Gor-r-r-don” was speaking again. “What is this—the tortillas burned once more? Have I not told thee to be more sparing of the wood I gain with my sweat? And this chile? ’Tis sour as swill, fit only for swine.”
“Then it should suit thee very well,” came the softer voice, with unexpected spirit.
“A-r-r-r-h!” It was an excellent imitation of the angry howl with which Don Gor-r-r-don’s father resented household rebellions. “Thou wouldst answer me? Thy mouth is too big! Take this to fill it!”
Followed a wail and as Lee rushed around the corner to the rescue, Don Gor-r-r-don scuttled like a little pig under her arm and dived into the house. Having comforted the small housewife, Lee returned to Gordon.