"Goodness, goodness! what incredulity," said Uncle Pedro. "Rita will be like that Tucero, who, the preachers say, separated from the church."
"Ave Maria! Do not say that, Pedro," exclaimed Maria, "even in exaggeration! Mercy! you may well say, what perverseness, for she talks so just to be contrary."
A noise in the direction of the door which opened into the back-yard, caused Maria's lips to close suddenly.
"What is that?" she said.
"Nothing, Mamma Maria," answered Perico, laughing; "what would it be? The wind which goes about to-night moving everything."
"Mother," said Angela, "hold me in your lap, as father does Angel, for I am afraid."
"This is too much," exclaimed Rita, who was in bad humor. "Go along and sit on the lap of earth, and don't come back till you bring grandchildren."
"I should like to know," said Pedro, "if those who laugh at that which others fear have never felt dread."
"Perico! Perico!" cried Maria, in terror, "there is a noise in the yard."
"Mamma Maria, you are excited and frightened. Don't you hear that it is the water in the gutter?"