“So I shall from henceforth, and I’ll plunge in boldly without waiting to be exact. I know it is the best way, but I am so proud and conscientious, you know.” “I am aware of the pride, but I have yet to be impressed by the conscientiousness.” “You are too mean for words, Tina. To think that you should enjoy abusing your poor little sister in the way that you do is dreadful, and when she has just escaped from the rigors of a convent too.” “My poor little sister thrives under the abuse, it seems.” “You always take everyone’s part against me. One would suppose, for example, that Tomás was your sure enough brother and I only your sister-in-law.” Doña Martina was silent for a moment, feeling there was some truth in the remark. “Well, you see,” she began, “I don’t want you to throw yourself away on a poor man like Tomás. I am afraid you would not be happy if you married him.” “I’m not marrying him.” “You might.” “Well, suppose I should. I’m sure we could get along. Haven’t you been telling me that one can rent a nice little house for forty dollars a year, hire a servant for three or four dollars a month and buy a donkey for seven? What more could one ask? It is a paradise for poor people from your own account. Why shouldn’t I settle down here, too, to a love-in-a-cottage existence? I should think you would be delighted to have me for a neighbor.” “Oh, Patty dear, so I should.” Her sister came over and took the girl’s face between her hands. “I never know when you are serious, dear. You talk so much nonsense. If you were really to fall in love, you two, and could be happy living that way, why of course--” Patty laughed gleefully. “Oh, you darling old thing! Of course I am not serious. I couldn’t stand it, not even to be near you. I should die of the blues when winter came.” “But winter here is not dreary a bit. The flowers bloom in the garden all the year around; you should see the geraniums--and if one has a few friends they are enough. Of course we came here originally for Juan’s health. After that dreadful illness of his last winter it seemed the best thing to do and he pined for his native air. You see how much good it has done him; he is quite another man, and as long as it makes him happy to stay I shall not say a word.” “I fancy he will get tired of it after a while and will want a broader field for his energies.” “Perhaps, but I shall try to be content either way. At least,” she added after a pause, “I shall be while I have you with me. There is such freedom from the rush and worry of a big city and we can live on so very little. Then, too, it is such a pleasure for Juan and Tomás to be near one another after the long separation.” “What did Tomás do before you all came?” “Oh, he had an old housekeeper who did very well for him, and he has his friends both here and in the towns near by.” “Fancy my ever marrying a Spaniard,” said Patty after a moment’s silence.