She started to open the chest, and Juan started to shake his head. But Pilar caught his arm, and her large, dark eyes pleaded pitifully.
"Oh, take them, please, Señor Juan!" she cried. "For I need a great deal of money! The doctor says that Grandfather will not be able to work for a long time."
She pulled out of the chest the Damascene knife from Toledo, the tall comb from Barcelona, the faded fan from Valladolid, the ancient clock from El Escorial, and the saucy bonnet from Segovia.
"Here, take them, please, señor," she said. "And also—" She put her hand inside the chest and drew out the magic castanets. "These, too," she whispered, "for I promised."
| POTTERY SHOP, TRIANA |
Juan looked at the old wooden clappers. Then he looked at Pilar. And quite abruptly he turned around to the strong box where he kept his money. He unlocked it and took out some paper bills.
"Here, little Pilar," he said. "Here is the money for you and your grandfather. I shall keep the knife and the clock and the fan, the comb, and the bonnet. But—" He pushed away her hand which held the castanets. "Keep those, since you love them so much."
Pilar clasped the castanets to her heart and her face lit up like a thousand candles.
"Oh, Señor Juan!" she sighed. "You are so good!"
Juan patted her shoulder.