d to patter
about on the terrace below as if he were going from window to window
seeking an entrance. Juanita began to listen to his movements, expecting
him to whimper, and in a few moments he fulfilled her anticipation by
giving a little uneasy sound between his teeth. In a moment Juanita was
out of bed and at the open window. Perro would awake Sarrion and Marcos,
who must be very tired. It was a woman's instinct. Juanita was growing
up.

Perro heard her, and in obedience to her whispered injunction stood
still, looking up at her and wagging his uncouth tail slowly. But he gave
forth the uneasy sound again between his teeth.

Juanita went back into her room; found her slippers and dressing-gown.
But she did not light a candle. She had acquired a certain familiarity
with the night from Marcos, and it seemed natural at Torre Garda to fall
into the habits of those who lived there. She went the whole length of
the balcony to Marcos' room, which was at the other end of the house,
while Perro conscientiously kept pace with her on the terrace below.

Marcos' window was shut, which meant that he was not there. When he was
at home his window stood open by night or day, winter or summer.

Juanita returned to Sarrion's room, which was next to her own. The window
was ajar. The Spaniards have the habit of the open air more than any
other nation of Europe. She pushed the window open.

"Uncle Ramon," she whispered. But Sarrion was asleep. She went into the
room, which was large and sparsely furnished, and, finding the bed, shook
him by the shoulder.

"Uncle Ramon," she said, "Perro has come back ... alone."

"That is nothing," he replied, reassuringly, at once. "Marcos, no doubt,
sent him home. Go back to bed."

She obeyed him, going slowly back to the open window. But she paused
there.

"Listen," she said, with an uneasy laugh. "He has something on his mind.
He is whimpering. That is why I woke you."

"He often whimpers when Marcos is away. Tell him to be quiet, and then go
back to bed," said Sarrion.

She obeyed him, setting the window and the jalousie ajar after her as she
had found them. But Sarrion did not go to sleep again. He listened for
some time. Perro was still pattering to and fro on the terrace, giving
from time to time his little plaint of uneasiness between his closed
teeth.

At length Sarrion rose and struck a light. It was one o'clock. He dressed
quickly and noiselessly and went down-stairs, candle in