"You will not mention this in letters to your mother," ordered Gallito,
glooming at her with fierce eyes. "You know her. Caramba! If she should
guess, the world would know it."
"Lord, yes!" agreed Pearl uninterestedly. "You needn't be afraid of me,"
to Jose, "I don't tell what I know."
"That is true," commended Gallito, motioning her at the same time to the
table.
It seems a pity to record that such a supper was set before a woman
suffering from a wound of the heart. Women at all times are held to be
lacking in that epicurean appreciation of good food which man justly
extols; but when a woman's whole being is absorbed in a disappointment
in love, nectar and ambrosia are as sawdust to her.
On the outer rim of that circle which knew him but slightly, or merely
knew of him, the causes of the charmed life which Jose bore were a
matter of frequent speculation, also continual wonder was expressed that
his friends would sometimes take incredible risks in effecting the
escape of this rogue after one of his reckless escapades. But Jose had
certain positive qualities, had these gossips but known it, which
endeared him to his companions; although among them could never be
numbered gratitude, a lively appreciation of benefits received or a
tried and true affection.
Certainly a dog-like fidelity was not among Jose's virtues. He would
lift the purse of his best friend or his rescuer from a desperate
impasse, provided it were sufficiently heavy.
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