"May the lightning strike God, but he has flung her out into the streets, señor!"
Strawbridge stared.
"Are you crazy, Esteban? I saw Madruja and the general drive past in a motor, not ten minutes ago!"
Lubito interrupted:
"No, you did not, señor. That was another girl he has picked up. Madruja is ... well, to speak plainly ... Madruja is growing heavy after the manner of women, and really, now—" the bull-fighter shrugged and opened a hand—"really, now, what could el Presidente do but turn her out?" He looked from one of his friends to the other and said intimately, "Now, really.... I dare say we have all been fathers at one time or another.... What else could he have done?"
Strawbridge did not hear this observation. He sat perfectly still in his chair, and said in a shocked tone:
"He really did!"
Lubito answered again:
"Ciertamente, señor; but any one could have foretold that. Do you not recall, Esteban, I told you that in advance? Do you not recall my saying, 'Esteban, mi bravo, cheer up. Presently el Presidente will grow weary of your Madruja, and you will have her back'?"
The drummer sat pondering the facts, in a benumbed manner. Somehow this Madruja affair touched him painfully. Presently he looked at Esteban and asked: