The tall windmill fan for drawing up water from the
lake wasspinning gaily. But that is why they hate Christ so much,and His teaching.
The mother had only to knock, andhand in the little living bundle.
The women carry with a band round the
breast.
Or theysat in the lake with long hair streaming,
pouring water overthemselves: again like birds.
They had to carry all water from the lake to
theirhouses. The boy, Ezequiel, seemed to her to have more honour than thewomen.
Then she glanced quickly,involuntarily at her husband, as she added: I dont know.
The quiet, unobtrusive, but by no means down-trodden women of thepeon
class.
Andshe would never now cease from questioning. On
the contrary, I am willing to give more than I get.
Butthat nasty insinuating insultingness is not fair
in the game.
He ignored all the signs of theirdiscomfort,
overlooking it with a powerful will.
If only we could save them, and equip them forlife.
It does hit one rather below the belt, said Kate. At the same time there was a true
pathos about them.
There was acertain strength in his
presence.
It was confusion, but after all, a livingconfusion,
not a dead, dreary thing.
It was as if it were a meritoriouspublic
act.
A little breeze was coming from the lake, but the
deep dustunderfoot was hot.
Everything they did must be fun, orthey could not
do it. They are lying on the dampearth on a thin straw mat, with a corner of an old
blanket to coverthem.
Everything must be fun, must be variable, must bea
bit of an adventure. She was from Torreon and drew still agood income from the
mines.
Her face was pale, faded, and without any make-up
at all.
There she changed into the shoes and stockings
Juanahad carried, and rested a little.
The two women understood one another quickly, but
were a littlenervous of one another.
The woman wasmaking another sliding, insolent
attack. But her Spanish was so slow and distinct and slightlyplaintive, that Kate
understood her at once.
Sometimes Kate felt distracted: after all,
themechanical lines are so much EASIER to follow.
Helaughed and spoke to the women only from a
surface self.
Everything must be fun, must be variable, must bea
bit of an adventure. Nowhere in Mexico is there any sign of energy. No, no, shedidnt
want finally to drive her Niña away.
Andthe wounded boy would be prostrate, not really
much hurt, but as ifhe was killed.