Chata and Chinita, Chapters XIV-XVI [pp. 393-409]

402 Chatla and Chinita. [Oc
content, not because of the glorious tribute But the girl had not lingered to listen
of flowers she had plucked and offered, nor his taunts. She flew, rather than walked,
with pride at her own appearance, gorgeous her hut, which, on account of the festa i
as she believed it to be, but because of the the church, was deserted. A crowd of ra
delightful effect she supposed both would ged urchins, who had taken up the cry
leave on her aristocratic playmates; and her flouted swain, followed her, jeering an
much amazed was she as she neared them, hooting, to the door, which she slammed i
to see Chata's expressive nose assume an el- their faces. Not that they bore her any i
evation of unapproachable dignity, while Car- will; but the sight of Chinita in her fir
lota's indignation took the form of an ag- clothes, ruffling and fluttering like an e
gressive pinch, so deftly given that Chinita's raged peacock, was irresistibly exciting to th
shrill interjection seemed as unaccountable youths, whom her lofty disdain usually he
as the glory of her apparel. in the cowed and submissive state of awe
Chinita, in some consternation, sank on stricken admiration.
her knees, her green skirt rising in folds Chinita, scarcely understanding her ow
around her, reminding Chata irresistibly of a miserable disappointment and anger, bega
huge butterfly which she had that very morn- to disembarrass herself of her finery, flingin
ing seen to settle upon a verdant pomegran- each article from her with contempt, unt
ate bush. How she longed to extinguish she stood in the red bayeta skirt, with a broa
Chinita's glories, as she had done those of band of light green above the hips, whic
the insect, by a cast of her reboso. There formed her ordinary apparel. As she stoo
was no malice in her thought, though per- panting, two great tears rolling down h
haps a trifle of envy, for she, too, loved bril- cheeks, and two others as large hangin
liant colors She could not restrain a titter upon her long, black lashes, she saw the doo
as she thought what Chinita's vexation would gently pushed, and before with an angry e
be; and with a face glowing with anger, and clamation she could reach it, a little brow
eyes filled with reproach, Pedro's foster child head was thrust in.
sailed haughtily past the sisters; and while "Go away!" cried Chinita imperativel
the untrained choir were singing, hymns of "Thou hast been told not to come here
rejoicing, with that inimitable undertone of Thy mother will have thee whipped, and
pathos, natural in the voices of'the Aztecs, shall be glad, and I will laugh! yes, I wi
and the censers of incense were still swing- laugh, and laugh!" and she proceeded t
ing, left the church-longing to rush back do so sardonically on the instant, gazin
and trample under foot the flowers she had down with a glance of contemptuous fur
so joyously gathered, longing to tear off the which for the moment was tragically gent
fine clothes and adornments. She pushed ine, upon the little brown countenance, lifte
angrily past a peasant boy in tattered cotton to her own somewhat apprehensively, y