“It is a thing he knows no moderation in,” said Diego, with a grimace.
“The sting would have been no greater had you first eaten the melon instead of only bruising the stem,” said another.
They all found it easy to be merry since it was Diego who was to pay the reckoning. But Diego was as merry as they; for it was not in his nature to cross the bridge until he reached it.
“‘Tis a good suggestion, Alfonso,” said he. “Who will eat of the fruit if I remove it from the bruised stem? I will promise to take all the blame. Alfonso only speaks the truth when he says I will pay as much for the stem as for the melon. For my own part, I think Fray Antonio lets the melons stay too long on the vine. An over-ripe melon does not suit my palate. Who is with me?”
“‘THINK TWICE, DID YOU SAY, FRAY ANTONIO,’ ASKED THE BOY. ‘ERE I SET FOOT TO THE GROUND?’”
The boys looked at each other and then at the melon that lay among the leaves, showing a swelling side full of suggestions of lusciousness and melting juiciness.
“It would be a pity for the melon to spoil,” said Alfonso.
“Besides,” said Diego, hunching his shoulders meaningly, “it would be unfair to pay the price for nothing.”