“You and Tomás could easily come,” replied her sister, calmly, “although, of course, you would not be so rude as to leave Paulette at home.” “She would very likely decline to go,” said Patty, willing to enter into an argument. “I think this one trip will be enough for her French heels.” “How about yours?” “Oh, I have a fine pair of tennis shoes at home which I shall wear next time. I brought them purposely for rough walking, but I didn’t put them on to-day because I didn’t know it would be rough.” “I shall not allow you to go off for a whole day with Tomás; it would scandalize the community,” her sister went on. “When he is your brother?” “He is not yours.” “Oh, well, if that is the case, you and Juan can go, too. We can take lunch. Juan can fish, you can go to sleep, and if Paulette decides to go with us she can read.” “And what will you do?” “I will study Spanish with Tomás. We can find some nice little out-of-the-way corner where we shall be undisturbed.” “You will? We shall see.” “Exactly. That is what I thought we could do. By the way, talking of fishing, that was mighty good fish we had to-day. What was it?” “_Merluza_ they call it.” “Do they get it here?” “Yes, near by. We think it very fine. But Patty,” “Yes?” “Please don’t trifle with Tomás.” “My dear, we thrashed that out long ago, and we decided that forty dollars a year for a house and--” “Do stop your foolishness. Here comes Juan,” said Martina, hastily. And Patty was left to meditate upon her shortcomings while the other four went to examine the curious rocks. She sat quite unconcernedly upon the rock where she had ensconced herself and at last had the satisfaction of seeing Tomás advancing toward her alone, Paulette having remained with the other two. “I was tired; it was such a long walk,” said Patty, smiling up sweetly. Her vocabulary was sufficient by this time to compass ordinary phrases. “But it is sunny and hot here; we will find the shade,” said Tomás. And Patty had the delight of being escorted to a sequestered corner while her sister cast anxious glances toward the spot where she had left the girl. CHAPTER IV ANTIQUITIES “Paulette,” Patty spoke from the pillows against which she lay, her arms over her head. Her dark hair had dropped in a dusky coil over the white covers, her eyes were full of mischief. “I’ve decided to be generous and let you have the old don. Fancy your living in a twelfth century palace and having precious old gold cups to drink from with wonderful old jewelry to wear.” “Bah!” exclaimed Paulette, “I want no old man. You are quite welcome to your twelfth century palace. I prefer a younger house wiz a younger man.”