At first, he merely stood and watched the children as they waded in the shallow water. But after awhile he noticed Juan.
“Hey, you!” he called to the little Mexican boy.
Juan acted as if he had not heard.
The man came quickly to the water’s edge. He was scowling and appeared very displeased.
“Come here!” he called again to Juan.
This time the boy could not pretend that he had not heard. Very slowly he waded in toward the man.
“Que, Senor?” he mumbled, acting as if he neither spoke nor understood English.
“You heard me!” the man said angrily. “What do you mean by going in wading at this beach?”
Juan merely shrugged.
“You know you have no right here. I won’t have Mexicans on my property! Now go, and don’t let me catch you sneaking back.”