"You kept it too long: I can't break my word to the señora."
"But it is a duty you owe your company."
"No, we made arrangements when I thought the trade was off. That finishes this." He pushed the contract away.
The father walked over to the big drummer and laid a translucent hand on his shoulder.
"You seem unhappy over this, Señor Strawbridge."
"My old man will think I double-crossed him—for a woman. He'll never believe the real facts."
"My son—" Father Benicio's voice softened—"Dolores is just as unhappy as you are. She feels just as keenly the vows which you do not comprehend, as you feel the duties which she cannot understand. She still says she will fly with you, even after I have reminded her of the holy commands of the church; she will still fly with you because of her promise; but she is very unhappy about it."
Strawbridge looked up.
"Is Dolores unhappy about ... eloping?"