The Spectator., 1914-11-13

eagerly SnlHlnS as ne came. Olu Nitd aroused herself at his approach,
 Pedro, you have let him loose again, oh, careless one!" she cried; some day he will betray you and be of or, worse yet, stolen"
 Gross Old Nita!" replied Pedro, stepping into the lighted circle and smiling at her. He is too fond of me to run away-aren't you, old fel- low. eh? Whats to eat? he inquired, stopping over the kettle. Greens! Is that all?"
 There is rye bread-a single loaf" responded Nita. Thanks to your go- ing off by yourself, we have only talk en in a few pesetas all day!"
 You know very well, Aged One" responded Pedro. that you take in as much alone as with me- or very nearly. And as for going off. We'll. 1 have something to tell you, but all must hear Let us gather together first, and eat"
 So far the conversation had been In Spanish, the native tongue of these
  came general, they fell into a patois English, the language of the road. sometimes slipping into French. some times back into Spanish. their talk being as polyglot as their origin.
 Now, do you want to hear, eh?" Pc dro asked, addressing the company. If so, shall tell my plan"
 Beau,Jean replied first, in his deep, husky voice.
 Let the little one tell his notion. The plans of Pedro have brought many laugh, and so many coin from the crowd on the market street" :"
 My shoes will not stand another mending," said Hermania If Pedro can tell plan to get others l will heed"
 The lad has wit; did he not con ceive the praying trick for Koko?" what has thy brain devised now to help us?"
 "Oh, don't, don't" cried Pedro. Why do you say these things on this night of all nights? l cannot endure it. Call me evil names, and abuse me, rather Please, It is almost too hard for me to do. and yet l must! Amigos, It is for myself only that l am planning-my notion will not help you. alas."
 He buried his face in his hands, and for a moment there was an astonished silence. Such an outburst of emotion on the part of their joyous Pedro was a thing undreamed of by any of them
 Into the silence the voice of Old Nita broke tremblingly.
 Hast thou sinned. even as I, that thou weepest so? What is 1t, Pedro of my heart?"
 No, mol" he cried, raising his head. T have not sinned, but 1 have seen a line-an exquisite curve from an oval chin to the base of white throat"
 An, In love," exclaimed Rico and Anna simultaneously.
 No; again no!" cried Pedro. q do not love it. but I've got to paint it!"
 There was another interval of pug zled silence. broken this time by Beau. Jean.
 "Oh, little Pedro" said he, what do you mean by paint it'?"
 Just that" said Pedro, striving to conquer his emotion. "l am going to be an artist. painter. Don't you understand"
 The little group stirred relievedly. This was nothing so terrible, after all. Then for few moments all spoke at once. voicing their relief. Hermania's query made itself evident above the clamor of the rest.
 But why does this distress you so? Always. always you have made pic lures. Pictures of us all, of every where, of everybody; always, always scribbling little pictures upon bits of paper Where is the trouble?"
 The trouble comes because shall have to leave you all," said Pedro sadly. "l must go to the city, where can have the right things to work with. and colors-colors-color l must opouS II VIII Ue hard. but l can do it,"
 Go away! Leave them!" Such . clangor as they raised!
 T have tried not to do this," he said as soon as they let him speak, but I can't help 1t. The art-it bosses me now!"
 But where shall you go?" asked Nita.
 ITO New York; 1t is nearest" re- piled Pedro.
 And how will you liver" from Car. los.
 ''I do not know"
 "Who will teach you?" queried Her mania.
 T do not know"
 And those colors. where will you get them?" asked Anna.
 T do not know"
 And knowing nothing. you arc yet