"Señora Doña, even a cabbage in Señorita Hernandez's hands would thereby become beautiful," from the youth.
"How easily young men's tongues frame compliments!" from the dueña.
"They have worthy subjects here," from another youth, waving his hand toward the señoritas.
The dueña laughed again. "Young people are unmanageable these days," she concluded.
"Señor the Capitan Morando did not enjoy the egg-breaking?" inquired young Peralta.
"We enjoyed it," laughed Lolita without waiting for Morando's reply.
"I broke an egg on your hair, señorita. I see the gold and silver adornment still," rallied Peralta.
"I broke three on your vest, Señor Peralta. I'm sorry you could not have preserved the pattern," returned Lolita.
"But the Señor Capitan and the egg-breaking—was it new to you?" continued Don Abelardo.
"It was unexpected to me here, but not new," from Morando. "Spain observes it on such occasions as this."