"But—" the old man stared at him sharply, and then suddenly recovered himself.
"Teddy says his wife wants to come down here while he is in Mexico," grunted Bryton. "What the devil can I do with her if she comes now?"
"You are a relative now—is it not so?" asked the old man, with an affectionate smile. "She is your sister."
"Sister be—" If he meant blessed, he did not look it as he tramped the veranda. "I start just the same for the south ranch to-morrow. If she comes, she can go to Mac's tavern, or to the Mission with the ghosts!"
"That would not be good to do," said Alvara seriously. "The wife of your brother must come to my house. Teresa, the widow of Miguel, is here; her English is not anything, but it is good that your sister have a lady with her in the house. Teresa, she feel very bad. Don Teddy's wife was once a widow; she will understand."
Doña Angela
"Will it make many changes in the business—his death?" asked Bryton.
"It will lose the ranches more quickly to the English and the Americans," stated the older man. "Rafael will have all the money now, and—it is good that he gets married quick. The girl—she is Estevan's daughter—she likes no English—so they say."
"Oh!—Estevan's daughter—Estevan's! I heard a queer story of that name once—a queer story!"