"Thanks. Permit me, a light. You are in Valle Allegre many days?"
"For the fiesta only, señor."
"I hope your visit is fortunate, señor. My house is at your orders."
"Thanks. How is it that I did not see you at the baile last night, señor? You, who were always such a sympathetic dancer!"
"Unhappily Juanita is gone to visit her mother in El Oro, and now, therefore, I am a platonico. I grow too old for the señoritas."
"Ah, no, señor. A caballero of your age is in the prime of life. But tell me. Is it true what I hear, that the Maderistas are now at Mapimi?"
"Si, señor. Soon Villa will take Torreon, they say, and then it is only a matter of a few months before the Revolution is accomplished."
"I think that, yes. But tell me; I have great respect for your opinion. Which cock would you advise me to bet on?"
We approached the combatants and looked them over, while their owners clamored in our ears. They sat upon the curbing negligently herding their birds apart. It was getting toward three of the afternoon.
"But will there be a cock-fight?" I asked them.