“She might marry well; perhaps one of her American neighbors.” “She has no taste for Americanos, except for our family.” “Where did she learn English?” “I am her teacher. She teaches me Spanish, so we can converse in either language.” “I shouldn’t mind being her pupil.” Alison gave her head a toss. “You will not be permitted to enter her class.” “Ah, you misunderstand me. I meant that I should like the privilege of sharing the lessons with you.” “I don’t believe you meant any such thing, but we will let that pass.” “You know she is not the type I most admire.” “How should I know?” “Because she is your opposite.” “That’s nonsense, too.” “I wish I knew what style of man you admire.” “I’ll tell you some time. I can’t now, because I am busy with these tortillas. Have you ever eaten a real Mexican meal?” “No, you know we have not been long in the country, and I have not traveled through this section very much.” Alison smiled in anticipated amusement and when the hour came for the noonday meal she watched the young man slyly. There was neither fork nor spoon with which to convey the frijoles to his mouth. He looked at them helplessly and both the girls laughed merrily. “You must roll up your tortillas so, and make a spoon,” Alison told him, and when he awkwardly tried to follow her directions she laughed at him the more. So the meal passed amid much merriment, for Blythe was good-nature itself and even Pedro’s gravity relaxed at the joyousness of the young people. “Now you will take a walk with me, won’t you?” said Blythe to Alison when the meal was over and they had wandered to where a cottonwood afforded some shelter from the heat of noon. Pedro was taking his siesta, and Lolita, too, had curled herself up in the long grass, sleep already causing her long lashes to droop over the soft curve of her cheek. “It is too hot for a walk, don’t you know that?” said Alison. “You’ve a lot to learn about this part of the country, Mr. Van Dorn of New York State. This is the time for rest. Not a Mexican but has sense enough to remain absolutely quiet after a full meal! Pedro thinks it a mortal sin to exercise after eating, and was just telling me the story of the man whom his master found lying under a tree, when his companions were working in the cane.” “I have never heard the story.” “His master came along and asked why he was not working, and the man made answer: ‘Empty sack can’t stand.’ His master sent him to the house for a good meal. An hour after the master came that way again and there was the man as before lying under the tree. ‘Why are you not at work?’ asked he. ‘An hour ago you gave as an excuse that you were empty. Have you not eaten as I told you to do?’ ‘Full sack can’t bend,’ said the man.” Blythe laughed. “Then I will have mercy on you and we will rest here.”