"But, señor," said Pilar's grandfather, as if he had been reading Pilar's mind, "we have no money to spend on lessons."
"I shall ask no money," replied the dancing master. "No. Our school will some day be proud of Señorita Pilar."
He stood up and put out his hand to the little girl.
"Come tomorrow for your first lesson," he said. "My brother will instruct you. My brother, you know, is the second greatest dancing master in Spain."
"And who is the first, señor?" asked Pilar's grandfather.
"Why, I am, of course!" answered the tall man proudly, and walked out of the room.
When he had left, there was much rejoicing in the tiny house. Pilar went out and bought a basket full of good things, and they had dinner.
After dinner, they sat together, silent and happy, the old man's wrinkled hand caressing the child's glossy black hair.
Then all at once, in a low, mysterious voice, the grandfather began to recite:
"Castanets, with magic spell,
Never lose or give or sell;
If you do, then grief and strife
Will follow you through all your life."