The drummer bent to his work with all his heart; one pair of dancers after another took their places, and moved in perfect time with faster and faster steps. The crowd of bystanders watched them in admiration.
Under the shade of a mango-tree two black children were playing a game of dominoes.
"What a nice set it is," said Ramon to his sister. "I am going to ask them if they bought it. It must have cost quite a big sum for them to spend."
The older of the two players heard Ramon's words. He looked up with a proud smile that made his mouth stretch from ear to ear as he said:
"I made them all myself, little master. I got the wood from an ebony-tree."
"But of what did you make the white points set into the dominoes?" asked Ramon. "They look like ivory."
"I cut them out of alligator's teeth, little master. Now didn't I do well?"
This was said with another broad grin and a big roll of his eyes that made Lucia and Maria laugh in spite of themselves.
"Well, I should say so," answered Ramon.