Of the others, some decent Indian woman was paid a
small sum totake the child into her home. Kate accepted, and said she would prefer
to walk out. And their backbones were locked inmalevolent resistance.
He seemed to have life and passionin
him.
At the same time there was a true pathos about
them.
Then with adeferential sideways sort of bow to
Kate, he vanished out of doors. What doesIreland matter, what does nationalism and
all that rubbish matter,really! Her face was pale, faded, and without any make-up at
all. Martin trotted ahead to knock on the closed doors.
They are well; that is, the younger isvery
delicate. A mozo came with a note from Don Ramón: might he bring his wife tocall on
Kate?
The dark races belong to abygone cycle of
humanity.
With their ugly little wills, trying to pull her
will down.
I think he has gone insane, asMexicans do. They
wanted the basic fact oflice to be thrust under the noses of those white people. But
I knew all the time,the Irish arent a great people any more, and you CANT make
themfree.
She was from Torreon and drew still agood income
from the mines.
Or, especially on Sundayafternoons, they sat in
their doorways de-lousing one another.
And he, so erect and proud-looking,possessed
nothing in the world but an old serape.
When they ARE dead, said Kate, then you KNOW its no
good.
Only anoccasional quick, dark look, the signal of a
weapon-like desire,given and taken. Kate taught her, andbought a length of cotton
material.
Then Don Ramón had hadenemies in the Government.
Then they turned again and trotted into the courtyard,barefoot.
That is tosay, he worked building the adobe walls
of the little houses.
Her servants were the clue to all the native life,
for her.
The slight grin of malevolence on Conchas face, as
she stood onher own feet.
But there was something unyielding, unbending about
him. Her own final conclusion aboutmen was that THEY were the vanity of vanities,
nothing but vanity.
The presence of the man seemed toput their emotion
out of joint.
Might they sleep in the patio with herself and the
girls, wasJuanas request.
Yet Concha continually teased the big-eyed,
naïvesimpleton of a Maria. Doña Carlota covered her face with her hand, as if
swooning. The two women hungtheir heads, hiding their faces.
The workmen dress up and parade a best girl on
their arm.