Never a farthing did he give for my son.

And that Mariquita is just the same.
Yes, senor, I do say so.

She only thinks of decking herself out so that the cadets may see her." "For mercy's sake, woman, they will hear you," begged some of the terrified women.
But others scouted this fear.

"Let Don Antolin and his niece hear them! What did it matter?
The Claverias were tired of the rapacity of the uncle, and the magnificent airs that ugly woman gave herself! Because they were poor they were not going to spend their lives trembling before that couple.

God only knew what the uncle and niece did when they were alone in the house together!" A breath of rebellion had passed over that sleepy world.