Королі та капуста

           Dicky,withhisshoesremovedsoasnottodisturbhisfellowprisoners,trampedthefloorofthejailhalfthenightcondemninghislackofmoneyandthecauseofit—whateverthatmighthavebeen.Heknewverywellthatmoneywouldhaveboughthisreleaseatonce.

           FortwodayssucceedingPasacameattheappointedtimesandbroughthimfood.Heeagerlyinquiredeachtimeifaletterorpackagehadcomeforhim,andshemournfullyshookherhead.

           Onthemorningofthethirddayshebroughtonlyasmallloafofbread.Thereweredarkcirclesunderhereyes.Sheseemedascalmasever.

           "Byjingo,"saidDicky,whoseemedtospeakinEnglishorSpanishasthewhimseizedhim,"thisisdryprovender,muchachita.Isthisthebestyoucandigupforafellow?"

           Pasalookedathimasamotherlooksatabelovedbutcapriciousbabe.

           "Thinkbetterofit,"shesaid,inalowvoice;"sinceforthenextmealtherewillbenothing.Thelastcentavoisspent."Shepressedcloseragainstthegrating.

           "Sellthegoodsintheshop—takeanythingforthem."

           "HaveInottried?DidInotofferthemforone-tenththeircost?Notevenonepesowouldanyonegive.ThereisnotonerealinthistowntoassistDickeeMalonee."

           Dickclenchedhisteethgrimly."That’sthecomandante,"hegrowled."He’sresponsibleforthatsentiment.Wait,oh,waittillthecardsareallout."

           Pasaloweredhervoicetoalmostawhisper."And,listen,heartofmyheart,"shesaid,"Ihaveendeavouredtobebrave,butIcannotlivewithoutthee.