“And she owns most of the province next to it?”
“Her brother does.”
“So when the two marry, they will control about half of Santa Barbara between them?”
“Why shouldn’t they, if they are wise and good?”
“It seems rather a lot for two; what sort of a man is Don Manuel; a good sort?” Rosa made a grimace.
“He hasn’t done much good yet. Even if he had, he wouldn’t be good enough for her.”
“That is what women always say before a wedding,” he said, “ ‘. . . of course he isn’t good enough for her.’ ”
“Any man before his wedding will say it’s true.”
“Men in love will agree to anything. I say, Rosa, is there anything I ought not to do at lunch?”
“Any local custom?” she said. “Yes, we don’t eat with our knives and we always cluck as we swallow to show how much we are enjoying it.”