“There’s what you call wiggling!”
“What a shape!”
The dance came to an end upon a volley of applause.
“Tango! Tango!” shrieked the spectators as if possessed.
Manuel, his eyes moist with enthusiasm, was shouting and clapping his hands wildly.
“Hurrah for lust!” bellowed a youth at Manuel’s side.
La Bella Pérez repeated the tango. Behind Manuel and Vidal was a girl rocking a child in her arms; the tot’s face was covered with scabs. The girl, pointing to La Bella Pérez, crooned to the child:
“See. See mamma.”
“Is she the mother of this little girl?” asked Manuel.