The señorita's dueña engaged Moranda's attention the moment the singing ceased, suddenly remembering to ask for some acquaintance in San José.
"Señorita Doña Mendoza, say I have your first dance this evening?" called Abelardo Peralto from across the table.
"I, the second," cried Miguel Soto.
"I, the third," from another.
"Señorita Doña," asked Morando as soon as he was at liberty, "have you a dance left for me?"
"First come, first served, is the law in this province," she replied mischievously.
"Then I am to have no dance with you to-night," despairingly.
"Did you ever hear the saying about the early bird and the worm, Captain?" laughed Peralta.
"I object to being compared to a worm," said Carmelita. "For your punishment, Señor Don Abelardo Peralta, I deprive you of the grand march, which belongs to the first dance, and I give it to the Señor Captain."
"Woe! Woe!" cried Peralta. "I will be the worm, Señorita Mendoza. You are the beautiful early bird. O, do not punish me!"