“Everything’s all arranged,” said the girl to Manuel. “The ambassador has telephoned to the hotel requesting them to send the bill to the Embassy.”
Manuel noticed on this occasion, and in later years more than once corroborated the observation, that women accustomed from childhood to submit and to conceal their desires, possess, when their hidden energies are brought into play, a most extraordinary power.
The baroness received the news in astonishment and in an access of tenderness showered kisses upon Kate, weeping bitterly as she did so.
Some days later there came an answer from the baroness’s brother-in-law, together with a check covering the expenses of the journey.
Despite what the baroness had promised Manuel, he knew that he would not be taken along. It was natural. The baroness bought some clothes for La Nena and herself.
One autumn afternoon mother and daughter departed. Manuel accompanied them to the station.
The baroness was deeply depressed to think of leaving Madrid; La Nena was, as always, apparently serene.
During the ride none of the three spoke a word.
They stepped out of the carriage into the waiting-room; there was a trunk to be registered; Manuel saw to it. Then they went to the platform and took seats in a second-class coach. Roberto, pale, was pacing up and down the platform.
The baroness promised the boy that they would return.