The doctor had been coming every day since then, and Pilar could not leave her grandfather's side. Neighbors had been kind, helping with food and attentions.
Now that her grandfather was better, Pilar realized that she must repay those good neighbors. So this morning, as soon as the burning Spanish sun arose, Pilar arose, too.
She prepared her grandfather's breakfast and made him comfortable in his bed. Then she drank her thick, sweet chocolate, and off she went to Juan's shop, taking along the old wooden chest.
Juan could not help smiling when he saw her enter, weighed down by her huge burden. It looked to Juan as if the big chest should really have been carrying the little girl.
"Good morning, Señorita Pilar," he laughed. "And where is the chest taking you today?"
Pilar did not smile. Resting the chest upon the counter, she said, "Grandfather has been very ill since last I saw you, Señor Juan."
"Ah, I am sorry, child," said Juan.
"But now he is much better," added Pilar more cheerfully, "And I have brought you what I promised."
"The castanets?" asked Juan, looking at her shrewdly.
"More than the castanets, Señor Juan," answered the little girl. "For they alone will not pay you for all the money I now need."