IX
　　THEAreachedMoonstoneinthelateafternoon，andalltheKronborgsweretheretomeetherexcepthertwoolderbrothers。GusandCharleywereyoungmennow，andtheyhaddeclaredatnoonthatitwould"looksillyifthewholebunchwentdowntothetrain。""There’snousemakingafussoverTheajustbecauseshe’sbeentoChi—
　　cago，"Charleywarnedhismother。"She’sinclinedtothinkprettywellofherself，anyhow，andifyougotreatingherlikecompany，there’llbenolivinginthehousewithher。"Mrs。KronborgsimplyleveledhereyesatCharley，andhefadedaway，muttering。Shehad，asMr。Kronborgalwayssaidwithaninclinationofhishead，goodcontroloverherchildren。Anna，too，wishedtoabsentherselffromtheparty，butintheendhercuriositygotthebetterofher。SowhenTheasteppeddownfromtheporter’sstool，averycreditableKronborgrepresentationwasgroupedontheplatformtogreether。Aftertheyhadallkissedher（GunnerandAxelshyly），Mr。Kronborghurriedhisflockintothehotelomnibus，inwhichtheyweretobedrivenceremoniouslyhome，withtheneighborslookingoutoftheirwindowstoseethemgoby。
　　Allthefamilytalkedtoheratonce，exceptThor，——
　　impressiveinnewtrousers，——whowasgravelysilentandwhorefusedtositonThea’slap。OneofthefirstthingsAnnatoldherwasthatMaggieEvans，thegirlwhousedtocoughinprayermeeting，diedyesterday，andhadmadearequestthatTheasingatherfuneral。
　　Thea’ssmilefroze。"I’mnotgoingtosingatallthissummer，exceptmyexercises。BowerssaysItaxedmyvoicelastwinter，singingatfuneralssomuch。IfIbeginthefirstdayafterIgethome，there’llbenoendtoit。
　　YoucantellthemIcaughtcoldonthetrain，orsome—
　　thing。"
　　TheasawAnnaglanceattheirmother。Thearemem—
　　beredhavingseenthatlookonAnna’sfaceoftenbefore，butshehadneverthoughtanythingaboutitbecauseshewasusedtoit。Nowsherealizedthatthelookwasdis—
　　tinctlyspiteful，evenvindictive。ShesuddenlyrealizedthatAnnahadalwaysdislikedher。
　　Mrs。Kronborgseemedtonoticenothing，andchangedthetrendoftheconversation，tellingTheathatDr。ArchieandMr。Upping，thejeweler，werebothcomingintoseeherthatevening，andthatshehadaskedSpanishJohnnytocome，becausehehadbehavedwellallwinterandoughttobeencouraged。
　　ThenextmorningTheawakenedearlyinherownroomupundertheeavesandlaywatchingthesunlightshineontherosesofherwall—paper。Shewonderedwhethershewouldeverlikeaplasteredroomaswellasthisonelinedwithscantlings。Itwassnugandtight，likethecabinofalittleboat。Herbedfacedthewindowandstoodagainstthewall，undertheslantoftheceiling。Whenshewentawayshecouldjusttouchtheceilingwiththetipsofherfingers；
　　nowshecouldtouchitwiththepalmofherhand。Itwassolittlethatitwaslikeasunnycave，withrosesrunningallovertheroof。Throughthelowwindow，asshelaythere，shecouldwatchpeoplegoingbyonthefarthersideofthestreet；men，goingdowntowntoopentheirstores。
　　Thorwasoverthere，rattlinghisexpresswagonalongthesidewalk。TilliehadputabunchofFrenchpinksinatumblerofwateronherdresser，andtheygaveoutapleas—
　　antperfume。Thebluejayswerefightingandscreechinginthecottonwoodtreeoutsideherwindow，astheyalwaysdid，andshecouldheartheoldBaptistdeaconacrossthestreetcallinghischickens，asshehadheardhimdoeverysummermorningsinceshecouldremember。Itwaspleasanttowakenupinthatbed，inthatroom，andtofeel
　　thebrightnessofthemorning，whilelightquiveredaboutthelow，paperedceilingingoldenspots，refractedbythebrokenmirrorandtheglassofwaterthatheldthepinks。
　　"IMLEUCHTENDENSOMMERMORGEN"；thoselines，andthefaceofheroldteacher，camebacktoThea，floatedtoheroutofsleep，perhaps。Shehadbeendreamingsomethingpleas—
　　ant，butshecouldnotrememberwhat。ShewouldgotocalluponMrs。Kohlerto—day，andseethepigeonswashingtheirpinkfeetinthedripunderthewatertank，andflyingabouttheirhousethatwassuretohaveafreshcoatofwhitepaintonitforsummer。OnthewayhomeshewouldstoptoseeMrs。Tellamantez。OnSundayshewouldcoaxGunnertotakeherouttothesandhills。ShehadmissedtheminChicago；hadbeenhomesickfortheirbrilliantmorninggoldandfortheirsoftcolorsatevening。TheLake，somehow，hadnevertakentheirplace。
　　Whileshelayplanning，relaxedinwarmdrowsiness，sheheardaknockatherdoor。ShesupposeditwasTillie，whosometimesflutteredinonherbeforeshewasoutofbedtooffersomeservicewhichthefamilywouldhaveridiculed。
　　Butinstead，Mrs。Kronborgherselfcamein，carryingatraywithThea’sbreakfastsetoutononeofthebestwhitenapkins。Theasatupwithsomeembarrassmentandpulledhernightgowntogetheracrossherchest。Mrs。Kronborgwasalwaysbusydownstairsinthemorning，andTheacouldnotrememberwhenhermotherhadcometoherroombefore。
　　"Ithoughtyou’dbetired，aftertraveling，andmightliketotakeiteasyforonce。"Mrs。Kronborgputthetrayontheedgeofthebed。"Itooksomethickcreamforyoubeforetheboysgotatit。Theyraisedahowl。"Shechuckledandsatdowninthebigwoodenrockingchair。
　　HervisitmadeTheafeelgrown—up，and，somehow，im—
　　portant。
　　Mrs。KronborgaskedheraboutBowersandtheHar—
　　sanyis。ShefeltagreatchangeinThea，inherfaceandin
　　hermanner。Mr。Kronborghadnoticedit，too，andhadspokenofittohiswifewithgreatsatisfactionwhiletheywereundressinglastnight。Mrs。Kronborgsatlookingatherdaughter，wholayonherside，supportingherselfonherelbowandlazilydrinkinghercoffeefromthetraybe—
　　foreher。Hershort—sleevednightgownhadcomeopenatthethroatagain，andMrs。Kronborgnoticedhowwhiteherarmsandshoulderswere，asiftheyhadbeendippedinnewmilk。Herchestwasfullerthanwhenshewentaway，herbreastsrounderandfirmer，andthoughshewassowhitewhereshewasuncovered，theylookedrosythroughthethinmuslin。Herbodyhadtheelasticitythatcomesofbeinghighlychargedwiththedesiretolive。Herhair，hangingintwoloosebraids，onebyeithercheek，wasjustenoughdisorderedtocatchthelightinallitscurlyends。
　　Theaalwayswokewithapinkflushonhercheeks，andthismorninghermotherthoughtshehadneverseenhereyessowide—openandbright；likecleargreenspringsinthewood，whentheearlysunlightsparklesinthem。Shewouldmakeaveryhandsomewoman，Mrs。Kronborgsaidtoherself，ifshewouldonlygetridofthatfiercelookshehadsometimes。Mrs。Kronborgtookgreatpleasureingoodlooks，wherevershefoundthem。Shestillrememberedthat，asababy，Theahadbeenthe"best—formed"ofanyofherchildren。
　　"I’llhavetogetyoualongerbed，"sheremarked，assheputthetrayonthetable。"You’regettingtoolongforthatone。"
　　Thealookedupathermotherandlaughed，droppingbackonherpillowwithamagnificentstretchofherwholebody。Mrs。Kronborgsatdownagain。
　　"Idon’tliketopressyou，Thea，butIthinkyou’dbettersingatthatfuneralto—morrow。I’mafraidyou’llalwaysbesorryifyoudon’t。Sometimesalittlethinglikethat，thatseemsnothingatthetime，comesbackononeafterwardandtroublesoneagooddeal。Idon’tmeanthe
　　churchshallrunyoutodeaththissummer，liketheyusedto。I’vespokenmymindtoyourfatheraboutthat，andhe’sveryreasonable。ButMaggietalkedagooddealaboutyoutopeoplethiswinter；alwaysaskedwhatwordwe’dhad，andsaidhowshemissedyoursingingandall。Iguessyououghttodothatmuchforher。"
　　"Allright，mother，ifyouthinkso。"Thealaylookingathermotherwithintenselybrighteyes。
　　"That’sright，daughter。"Mrs。Kronborgroseandwentovertogetthetray，stoppingtoputherhandonThea’schest。"You’refillingoutnice，"shesaid，feelingabout。"No，Iwouldn’tbotheraboutthebuttons。Leave’emstayoff。Thisisagoodtimetohardenyourchest。"
　　Thealaystillandheardhermother’sfirmsteprecedingalongthebarefloorofthetrunkloft。Therewasnoshamabouthermother，shereflected。Hermotherknewagreatmanythingsofwhichshenevertalked，andallthechurchpeoplewereforeverchatteringaboutthingsofwhichtheyknewnothing。Shelikedhermother。
　　NowforMexicanTownandtheKohlers！Shemeanttoruninontheoldwomanwithoutwarning，andhugher。
　　X
　　SPANISHJOHNNYhadnoshopofhisown，buthekeptatableandanorder—bookinonecornerofthedrugstorewherepaintsandwall—paperweresold，andhewassometimestobefoundthereforanhourorsoaboutnoon。Theahadgoneintothedrugstoretohaveafriendlychatwiththeproprietor，whousedtolendherbooksfromhisshelves。ShefoundJohnnythere，trimmingrollsofwall—paperfortheparlorofBankerSmith’snewhouse。
　　Shesatdownonthetopofhistableandwatchedhim。
　　"Johnny，"shesaidsuddenly，"IwantyoutowritedownthewordsofthatMexicanserenadeyouusedtosing；
　　youknow，`ROSADENOCHE。’It’sanunusualsong。I’mgoingtostudyit。IknowenoughSpanishforthat。"
　　Johnnylookedupfromhisrollerwithhisbright，affablesmile。"SI，butitislowforyou，Ithink；VOZCONTRALTO。
　　Itislowforme。"
　　"Nonsense。IcandomorewithmylowvoicethanI
　　usedto。I’llshowyou。Sitdownandwriteitoutforme，please。"Theabeckonedhimwiththeshortyellowpenciltiedtohisorder—book。
　　Johnnyranhisfingersthroughhiscurlyblackhair。
　　"Ifyouwish。IdonotknowifthatSERENATAallrightforyoungladies。Downthereitismoreformarriedladies。
　　Theysingitforhusbands——orsomebodyelse，may—bee。"
　　Johnny’seyestwinkledandheapologizedgracefullywithhisshoulders。Hesatdownatthetable，andwhileThealookedoverhisarm，begantowritethesongdowninalong，slantingscript，withhighlyornamentalcapitals。
　　Presentlyhelookedup。"This—asongnotexactlyMexi—
　　can，"hesaidthoughtfully。"Itcomefromfartherdown；
　　Brazil，Venezuela，may—bee。Ilearnitfromsomefellow
　　downthere，andhelearnitfromanotherfellow。Itis—amostlikeMexican，butnotquite。"Theadidnotreleasehim，butpointedtothepaper。Therewerethreeversesofthesonginall，andwhenJohnnyhadwrittenthemdown，hesatlookingatthemmeditatively，hisheadononeside。"Idon’thinkforahighvoice，SENORITA，"heobjectedwithpolitepersistence。"Howyouaccompanywithpiano？"
　　"Oh，thatwillbeeasyenough。"
　　"Foryou，may—bee！"Johnnysmiledanddrummedonthetablewiththetipsofhisagilebrownfingers。"Youknowsomething？Listen，Itellyou。"Heroseandsatdownonthetablebesideher，puttinghisfootonthechair。
　　Helovedtotalkatthehourofnoon。"Whenyouwasalittlegirl，nobiggerthanthat，youcometomyhouseoneday’boutnoon，likethis，andIwasinthedoor，playingguitar。Youwasbarehead，barefoot；yourunawayfromhome。Youstandthereandmakeafrownatmean’listen。
　　By’nbyyousayformetosing。Isingsomelil’ting，andthenIsayforyoutosingwithme。Youdon’knownowords，ofcourse，butyoutaketheairandyousingitjust—
　　abeauti—ful！Ineverseeachilddothat，outsideMexico。
　　Youwas，oh，Ido’know——sevenyear，may—bee。By’nbythepreachercomelookforyouandbeginforscold。I
　　say，`Don’scold，MeesterKronborg。Shecomeforhearguitar。Shegottasomemusicinher，thatchild。Wheresheget？’Thenhetellme’boutyourgran’papaplayoboeintheoldcountry。Ineverforgettathattime。"
　　Johnnychuckledsoftly。
　　Theanodded。"Irememberthatday，too。Ilikedyourmusicbetterthanthechurchmusic。Whenareyougoingtohaveadanceoverthere，Johnny？"
　　Johnnytiltedhishead。"Well，SaturdaynighttheSpanishboyshavealil’party，someDANZA。YouknowMiguelRamas？Hehavesomeyoungcousins，twoboys，verynice—a，comefromTorreon。TheygoingtoSaltLake
　　forsomejob—a，andstayoffwithhimtwo—threedays，andhemus’haveaparty。Youliketocome？"
　　ThatwashowTheacametogototheMexicanball。
　　MexicanTownhadbeenincreasedbyhalfadozennewfamiliesduringthelastfewyears，andtheMexicanshadputupanadobedance—hall，thatlookedexactlylikeoneoftheirowndwellings，exceptthatitwasalittlelonger，andwassounpretentiousthatnobodyinMoonstoneknewofitsexistence。The"Spanishboys"arereticentabouttheirownaffairs。RayKennedyusedtoknowaboutalltheirlittledoings，butsincehisdeaththerewasnoonewhomtheMexicansconsideredSIMPATICO。
　　OnSaturdayeveningaftersupperTheatoldhermotherthatshewasgoingovertoMrs。Tellamantez’stowatchtheMexicansdanceforawhile，andthatJohnnywouldbringherhome。
　　Mrs。Kronborgsmiled。ShenoticedthatTheahadputonawhitedressandhaddoneherhairupwithunusualcare，andthatshecarriedherbestbluescarf。"Maybeyou’lltakeaturnyourself，eh？Iwouldn’tmindwatchingthemMexicans。They’relovelydancers。"
　　Theamadeafeeblesuggestionthathermothermightgowithher，butMrs。Kronborgwastoowiseforthat。SheknewthatTheawouldhaveabettertimeifshewentalone，andshewatchedherdaughtergooutofthegateanddownthesidewalkthatledtothedepot。
　　Theawalkedslowly。Itwasasoft，rosyevening。Thesandhillswerelavender。Thesunhadgonedownaglow—
　　ingcopperdisk，andthefleecycloudsintheeastwereaburningrose—color，fleckedwithgold。Theapassedthecottonwoodgroveandthenthedepot，wheresheleftthesidewalkandtookthesandypathtowardMexicanTown。
　　Shecouldhearthescrapingofviolinsbeingtuned，thetinkleofmandolins，andthegrowlofadoublebass。Wherehadtheygotadoublebass？ShedidnotknowtherewasoneinMoonstone。Shefoundlaterthatitwasthepro—
　　pertyofoneofRamas’syoungcousins，whowastakingittoUtahwithhimtocheerhimathis"job—a。"
　　TheMexicansneverwaituntilitisdarktobegintodance，andTheahadnodifficultyinfindingthenewhall，becauseeveryotherhouseinthetownwasdeserted。Eventhebabieshadgonetotheball；aneighborwasalwayswillingtoholdthebabywhilethemotherdanced。Mrs。
　　TellamantezcameouttomeetTheaandledherin。Johnnybowedtoherfromtheplatformattheendoftheroom，wherehewasplayingthemandolinalongwithtwofiddlesandthebass。Thehallwasalonglowroom，withwhite—
　　washedwalls，afairlytightplankfloor，woodenbenchesalongthesides，andafewbracketlampsscrewedtotheframetimbers。Theremusthavebeenfiftypeoplethere，countingthechildren。TheMexicandanceswereverymuchfamilyaffairs。Thefathersalwaysdancedagainandagainwiththeirlittledaughters，aswellaswiththeirwives。OneofthegirlscameuptogreetThea，herdarkcheeksglowingwithpleasureandcordiality，andintro—
　　ducedherbrother，withwhomshehadjustbeendancing。
　　"Youbettertakehimeverytimeheasksyou，"shewhis—
　　pered。"He’sthebestdancerhere，exceptJohnny。"
　　Theasoondecidedthatthepoorestdancerwasherself。
　　EvenMrs。Tellamantez，whoalwaysheldhershoulderssostiffly，dancedbetterthanshedid。Themusiciansdidnotremainlongattheirpost。Whenoneofthemfeltlikedancing，hecalledsomeotherboytotakehisinstrument，putonhiscoat，andwentdownonthefloor。Johnny，whoworeablousywhitesilkshirt，didnotevenputonhiscoat。
　　ThedancestherailroadmengaveinFiremen’sHallweretheonlydancesTheahadeverbeenallowedtogoto，andtheywereverydifferentfromthis。Theboysplayedroughjokesandthoughtitsmarttobeclumsyandtorunintoeachotheronthefloor。Forthesquaredancestherewasalwaysthebawlingvoiceofthecaller，whowasalsothecountyauctioneer。
　　ThisMexicandancewassoftandquiet。Therewasnocalling，theconversationwasverylow，therhythmofthemusicwassmoothandengaging，themenweregracefulandcourteous。SomeofthemTheahadneverbeforeseenoutoftheirworkingclothes，smearedwithgreasefromtheround—houseorclayfromthebrickyard。Sometimes，whenthemusichappenedtobeapopularMexicanwaltzsong，thedancerssangitsoftlyastheymoved。Therewerethreelittlegirlsundertwelve，intheirfirstcommuniondresses，andoneofthemhadanorangemarigoldinherblackhair，justoverherear。Theydancedwiththemenandwitheachother。Therewasanatmosphereofeaseandfriendlypleasureinthelow，dimlylitroom，andTheacouldnothelpwonderingwhethertheMexicanshadnojealousiesorneighborlygrudgesasthepeopleinMoonstonehad。
　　Therewasnoconstraintofanykindthereto—night，butakindofnaturalharmonyabouttheirmovements，theirgreetings，theirlowconversation，theirsmiles。
　　Ramasbroughtuphistwoyoungcousins，SilvoandFelipe，andpresentedthem。Theywerehandsome，smil—
　　ingyouths，ofeighteenandtwenty，withpale—goldskins，smoothcheeks，aquilinefeatures，andwavyblackhair，likeJohnny’s。Theyweredressedalike，inblackvelvetjacketsandsoftsilkshirts，withopalshirt—buttonsandflowingblacktiesloopedthroughgoldrings。Theyhadcharmingmanners，andlow，guitar—likevoices。TheyknewalmostnoEnglish，butaMexicanboycanpayagreatmanycomplimentswithaverylimitedvocabulary。
　　TheRamasboysthoughtTheadazzlinglybeautiful。TheyhadneverseenaScandinaviangirlbefore，andherhairandfairskinbewitchedthem。"BLANCOYORO，SEMEJANTELA
　　PASCUA！"（Whiteandgold，likeEaster！）theyexclaimedtoeachother。Silvo，theyounger，declaredthathecouldnevergoontoUtah；thatheandhisdoublebasshadreachedtheirultimatedestination。Theelderwasmorecrafty；heaskedMiguelRamaswhetherthere
　　wouldbe"plentymoregirlslikethat_A_SaltLake，may—
　　bee？"
　　Silvo，overhearing，gavehisbrotheracontemptuousglance。"PlentymoreAPARAISOmay—bee！"heretorted。
　　Whentheywerenotdancingwithher，theireyesfollowedher，overthecoiffuresoftheirotherpartners。Thatwasnotdifficult；oneblondeheadmovingamongsomanydarkones。
　　Theahadnotmeanttodancemuch，buttheRamasboysdancedsowellandweresohandsomeandadoringthatsheyieldedtotheirentreaties。Whenshesatoutadancewiththem，theytalkedtoherabouttheirfamilyathome，andtoldherhowtheirmotherhadoncepunnedupontheirname。RAMA，inSpanish，meantabranch，theyexplained。Oncewhentheywerelittleladstheirmothertookthemalongwhenshewenttohelpthewomendeco—
　　ratethechurchforEaster。Someoneaskedherwhethershehadbroughtanyflowers，andsherepliedthatshehadbroughther"ramas。"Thiswasevidentlyacherishedfamilystory。
　　Whenitwasnearlymidnight，Johnnyannouncedthateveryonewasgoingtohishousetohave"somelil’ice—
　　creamandsomelil’MUSICA。"HebegantoputoutthelightsandMrs。TellamantezledthewayacrossthesquaretoherCASA。TheRamasbrothersescortedThea，andastheysteppedoutofthedoor，Silvoexclaimed，"HACE
　　FRIO！"andthrewhisvelvetcoatabouthershoulders。
　　MostofthecompanyfollowedMrs。Tellamantez，andtheysataboutonthegravelinherlittleyardwhilesheandJohnnyandMrs。MiguelRamasservedtheice—cream。
　　TheasatonFelipe’scoat，sinceSilvo’swasalreadyabouthershoulders。Theyouthslaydownontheshininggravelbesideher，oneonherrightandoneonherleft。Johnnyalreadycalledthem"LOSACOLITOS，"thealtar—boys。Thetalkallaboutthemwaslow，andindolent。OneofthegirlswasplayingonJohnny’sguitar，anotherwaspicking
　　lightlyatamandolin。Themoonlightwassobrightthatonecouldseeeveryglanceandsmile，andtheflashoftheirteeth。ThemoonflowersoverMrs。Tellamantez’sdoorwerewideopenandofanunearthlywhite。Themoonitselflookedlikeagreatpaleflowerinthesky。
　　Afteralltheice—creamwasgone，JohnnyapproachedThea，hisguitarunderhisarm，andtheelderRamasboypolitelygaveuphisplace。Johnnysatdown，tookalongbreath，struckafiercechord，andthenhusheditwithhisotherhand。"Nowwehavesomelil’SERENATA，eh？Youwan’atry？"
　　WhenTheabegantosing，instantsilencefelluponthecompany。Shefeltallthosedarkeyesfixthemselvesuponherintently。Shecouldseethemshine。Thefacescameoutoftheshadowlikethewhiteflowersoverthedoor。
　　Felipeleanedhisheaduponhishand。Silvodroppedonhisbackandlaylookingatthemoon，undertheimpressionthathewasstilllookingatThea。Whenshefinishedthefirstverse，TheawhisperedtoJohnny，"Again，Icandoitbetterthanthat。"
　　Shehadsungforchurchesandfuneralsandteachers，butshehadneverbeforesungforareallymusicalpeople，andthiswasthefirsttimeshehadeverfelttheresponsethatsuchapeoplecangive。Theyturnedthemselvesandalltheyhadovertoher。Forthemomenttheycaredaboutnothingintheworldbutwhatshewasdoing。Theirfacesconfrontedher，open，eager，unprotected。Shefeltasifallthesewarm—bloodedpeopledebouchedintoher。Mrs。
　　Tellamantez’sfatefulresignation，Johnny’smadness，theadorationoftheboywholaystillinthesand；inaninstantthesethingsseemedtobewithinherinsteadofwithout，asiftheyhadcomefromherinthefirstplace。
　　Whenshefinished，herlistenersbrokeintoexcitedmur—
　　mur。Themenbeganhuntingfeverishlyforcigarettes。
　　FamosSerranosthebarytonebricklayer，touchedJohnny’sarm，gavehimaquestioninglook，thenheavedadeep
　　sigh。Johnnydroppedonhiselbow，wipinghisfaceandneckandhandswithhishandkerchief。"SENORITA，"hepanted，"ifyousinglikethatonceintheCityofMexico，theyjust—agocrazy。IntheCityofMexicotheyain’t—asitlikestumpswhentheyhearthat，not—amuch！Whentheylike，theyjust—agiveyouthetown。"
　　Thealaughed。She，too，wasexcited。"Thinkso，Johnny？Come，singsomethingwithme。ELPARRENO；I
　　haven’tsungthatforalongtime。"
　　Johnnylaughedandhuggedhisguitar。"Younot—aforgethim？"Hebeganteasinghisstrings。"Come！"Hethrewbackhishead，"ANOCHE—E—E——"
　　"ANOCHEMECONFESSE
　　CONUNPADRECARMELITE，YMEDIOPENITENCIA
　　QUEBESARASTUBOQUITA。"
　　（LastnightImadeconfessionWithaCarmelitefather，AndhegavemeabsolutionForthekissesyouimprinted。）
　　Johnnyhadalmosteveryfaultthatatenorcanhave。
　　Hisvoicewasthin，unsteady，huskyinthemiddletones。
　　Butitwasdistinctlyavoice，andsometimeshemanagedtogetsomethingverysweetoutofit。Certainlyitmadehimhappytosing。Theakeptglancingdownathimashelaythereonhiselbow。Hiseyesseemedtwiceaslargeasusualandhadlightsinthemlikethosethemoonlightmakesonblack，runningwater。Thearememberedtheoldstoriesabouthis"spells。"Shehadneverseenhimwhenhismadnesswasonhim，butshefeltsomethingto—
　　nightatherelbowthatgaveheranideaofwhatitmightbelike。ForthefirsttimeshefullyunderstoodthecrypticexplanationthatMrs。TellamantezhadmadetoDr。
　　Archie，longago。Therewerethesameshellsalongthewalk；shebelievedshecouldpickouttheveryone。There
　　wasthesamemoonupyonder，andpantingatherelbowwasthesameJohnny——fooledbythesameoldthings！
　　Whentheyhadfinished，Famos，thebarytone，mur—
　　muredsomethingtoJohnny；whoreplied，"Surewecansing`Trovatore。’Wehavenoalto，butallthegirlscansingaltoandmakesomenoise。"
　　Thewomenlaughed。Mexicanwomenofthepoorerclassdonotsinglikethemen。Perhapstheyaretooin—
　　dolent。Intheevening，whenthemenaresingingtheirthroatsdryonthedoorstep，oraroundthecamp—firebe—
　　sidethework—train，thewomenusuallysitandcombtheirhair。
　　WhileJohnnywasgesticulatingandtellingeverybodywhattosingandhowtosingit，TheaputoutherfootandtouchedthecorpseofSilvowiththetoeofherslipper。