io's "ducks."

"For the land's sake!" said Senora Carreno.

Rita looked up quickly.

"Visitors, my love!" Don Annunzio explained rapidly, in good enough
English. "The Senor Captain and the Senorita Montfort, bringing a note
from his Excellency General Sevillo. The senorita will remain with us
for some days; I have placed all at her disposal; I--"

"There, Noonsey!" said the lady, not unkindly. "You set down, and let me
see what's goin' on."

She laid a powerful hand on her husband's shoulder, and pushed him into
his chair again; then advanced to the verandah steps, regarding the
newcomers with frank but cheerful scrutiny.

"What's all this?" she said. "Good mornin'! Yes, it's a fine day. Won't
you step in?"

Carlos told his story, and asked permission for his sister and her maid
to spend some days at the house until some permanent place could be
found for her.

The senora considered with frowning brows, not of anger but of
consideration.

"Well," she said, "I did say I wouldn't take no more boarders. I had
trouble with the last ones, and said I'd got through accommodatin'
folks. Still--I dunno but we could manage--does she understand when
she's spoke to--English, I mean?"

"Yes, indeed, I do!" cried Rita, coming forward. "I am only half Cuban;
it is good to hear you speak. If you will let me stay, I will try to
give little trouble. May I stay, please?"

"Well, I guess you may!" cried the New England woman. "You walk right in
and lay off your things, and make yourself to home. The idea! Why didn't
you say--why, it's as good as a meal o' victuals to hear you speak. Been
to the States, have you? Well, now, if that don't beat all! Noonsey, you
go and tell Jose we shall want them chickens for supper. Set down, young
man! This your hired gal, dear? Does she speak English? Well no, I
s'pose not."

She said a few words to Manuela in Spanish which, if not melodious, was
intelligible, and then led Rita into the house, talking all the way.

"Here's the settin'-room; and here's the spare-room off'n it. There! lay
your things on the bed, dear. I keep on talkin', when all the time I
want to hear you talk. It is good to hear your native speech, say what
they will. Husband, he does his best, to please me; but it's like as
though he was speakin' molasses, some way. Been in the States to
school, did you say?"

Rita told her story: of her American father, who had always spoken
English with her and her brother; of the su