Королі та капуста

           Theyweretheretobesiegetheheartof"LaSantita."Theirmethod(whichisnotproofagainstintelligentcompetition)consistedofexpandingthechest,lookingvalorous,andconsumingagrossortwoofcigarettes.Evensaintsdelicatelyorangedprefertobewooeddifferently.

           DoñaPasawouldtideoverthevastchasmsofnicotinizedsilencewithmusicfromherguitar,whileshewonderediftheromancesshehadreadaboutgallantandmore—morecontiguouscavalierswerealllies.AtsomewhatregularintervalsMadamawouldglideinfromthedispensarywithasortofdrought-suggestinggleaminhereye,andtherewouldbearustlingofstiffly-starchedwhitetrousersasoneofthecaballeroswouldproposeanadjournmenttothebar.

           ThatDickyMaloneywould,soonerorlater,explorethisfieldwasathingtobeforeseen.TherewerefewdoorsinCoraliointowhichhisredheadhadnotbeenpoked.

           Inanincrediblyshortspaceoftimeafterhisfirstsightofherhewasthere,seatedclosebesideherrockingchair.Therewerenoback-against-the-wallposesinDicky’stheoryofwooing.Hisplanofsubjectionwasanattackatcloserange.Tocarrythefortresswithoneconcentrated,ardent,eloquent,irresistibleescalade—thatwasDicky’sway.

           PasawasdescendedfromtheproudestSpanishfamiliesinthecountry.Moreover,shehadhadunusualadvantages.TwoyearsinaNewOrleansschoolhadelevatedherambitionsandfittedherforafateabovetheordinarymaidensofhernativeland.