“I am sure I don’t know where you have made your observations, surely not at the convent,” Patty remarked. “I use my ear, not my eye alone, and I am sorree for zat nice young man.” “Oho!” Patty turned to look at her quizzically. “I see I must be polishing up my armor. Come on, girls, let us go down. Juan told us not to be too long, and we want to see what we can of the outside world before we go into retreat.” “You talk as if you were going back to the convent,” said her sister. “You know it will not be like that. Weren’t you happy there, Patty?” She put her arm affectionately across her sister’s shoulder. “Oh, yes, happy enough, but one can get tired even of a good thing. I am glad not to be going back.” “I wish we could stay a long time here at San Sebastian, if you would like that,” returned her sister wistfully, “but you know we aren’t rich, Patty, and this is a very expensive place for persons of our means.” “Bless you, honey,” whispered Patty giving her a hug; “I’m only fooling, Tina. I don’t really care a rap about staying. I am sure it will be far nicer, much more romantic, and distinctly more interesting to go to that queer mountain place that nobody ever hears about much less goes to. Don’t mind my nonsense; I am only showing off before Polly. Don’t you think she is rather nice considering that she has money? Would you ever suspect it?” “She seems very nice, and, no, I shouldn’t suspect. One doesn’t usually expect a fact of that kind to be very apparent in one who is truly a lady, you know.” “Of course. I know that, but she hasn’t any people, you see, and doesn’t come of the aristocracy. She has a stuffy old shopkeeping uncle or guardian or something of that kind, but I never heard her speak of anyone else belonging to her. She was so delighted when you said she might come. She is the nicest French girl of the whole bunch and there were plenty to choose from at the convent. I find, Tina, that it doesn’t make much difference about nationality: it is just individuals.” “I’ve found that out, too,” responded Doña Martina, “otherwise I should never have married Juan.” “He is a dear,” Patty agreed, “so generous and courteous, and the soul of honor.” “And he is so constant and faithful, dear soul. Indeed, Patty, I might have gone far afield in many a country and never have met a finer man.” “So glad you’re pleased, dear,” returned Patty lightly. “Now, if you are ready, let us go down and see the world, the flesh, and the devil.” “The world is out on the Esplanade; there is plenty of flesh there, too, you will find, while, to quote Emerson, ‘even the dear old devil is not far off.’” Patty laughed and the sisters returned to the room where they had left Paulette, then the three descended to the corridor to find Don Juan and his brother pacing up and down talking earnestly and with many gestures. “Are they quarrelling already?” asked Patty, pausing on the lower step and looking after the two men.