Page 65.—
[65.1] valía tanto como, was equivalent to.
[65.2] comenzó a correr... la especie, the rumor began to spread through the town without any one knowing who had started it. With saber supply the indefinite subject nadie, cf. [page 3], note 5. Soltara, the so-called first impf. or conditional subjunctive is by derivation a plpf. indicative (Lat. -averam > -aram > -ara). This value still persists, but is confined to rather elevated style, and is usually, though not always, found in dependent clauses, not necessarily, however, in relative clauses alone. Soltar una especie, "to launch a suggestion," "throw out a feeler," "start a report."
[65.3] puso... el dedo en la llaga, solved the mystery, struck the nail on the head, lit. "laid her finger on the wound."
[65.4] Irritósele la bilis, her wrath was roused, lit. "bile."
Page 66.—
[66.1] con los brazos en jarra, with arms akimbo, lit. "like (the handles of) a jug or jar."
Page 67.—
[67.1] quedaban rotas, would be broken. Cf. page 12, note 4.
[67.2] Con esto... relaciones, At this José was sorrowful and alarmed, expecting that at any time a disturbance might arise which would destroy his already uncertain relations. Armar, lit. "to stir up," "set up."