Королі та капуста

           Whilethefrontofitwasdark,inthelittleroombackofitDickyandafewofhisfriendswouldsitaboutatablecarryingonsomekindofveryquietnegociosuntilquitelate.Finallyhewouldletthemoutthefrontdoorverycarefully,andgoupstairstohislittlesaint.Thesevisitorsweregenerallyconspirator-likemenwithdarkclothesandhats.Ofcourse,thesedarkdoingswerenoticedafterawhile,andtalkedabout.

           Dickyseemedtocarenothingatallforthesocietyofthealienresidentsofthetown.HeavoidedGoodwin,andhisskilfulescapefromthetrepanningstoryofDr.Greggisstillreferredto,inCoralio,asamasterpieceoflightningdiplomacy.

           Manylettersarrived,addressedto"Mr.DickyMaloney,"or"SeñorDickeeMaloney,"totheconsiderableprideofPasa.Thatsomanypeopleshoulddesiretowritetohimonlyconfirmedherownsuspicionthatthelightfromhisredheadshonearoundtheworld.Astotheircontentssheneverfeltcuriosity.Therewasawifeforyou!

           TheonemistakeDickymadeinCoraliowastorunoutofmoneyatthewrongtime.Wherehismoneycamefromwasapuzzle,forthesalesofhisshopwerenexttonothing,butthatsourcefailed,andatapeculiarlyunfortunatetime.Itwaswhenthecomandante,DonSeñorelCoronelEncarnacionRios,lookeduponthelittlesaintseatedintheshopandfelthisheartgopitapat.

           Thecomandante,whowasversedinalltheintricateartsofgallantry,firstdelicatelyhintedathissentimentsbydonninghisdressuniformandstruttingupanddownfiercelybeforeherwindow.