Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/93

Rh Insatiable curiosity is the birthright of the poor of Mexico, and on this remarkable day they gathered about the windows until not another one could find room—talking to Pancho, who looked as if already under sentence for an infraction of the criminal code. They made strange motions with their fingers, exclaiming at the same time: "Es una verguenza del mozo hacer tales cosas!" ("It is a shame for a mozo to do such things!") Others replied by saying: "Es un insulto!" ("It is an insult!"), while others took up the argument of the case by saying: " Por supuesto que si" ("Why, of course it is"). But all this did not cause Pancho to give me a rude look or an impertinent word.

The floor now looked red and shiny, the windows were clear and glistening, and the six hair-cloth chairs stood grimly along the wall, in deference to the custom. My little friend took her departure, and Pancho moved lamely about, as if stiffened by his arduous labor.

In all my housekeeping experiences nothing ever occurred which for novelty was comparable to the events of that morning. I felt sure that when Mother Noah descended from Mount Ararat, and assumed the responsibilities of housekeeping—or more properly tent-keeping—on the damp plain, however embarrassing the limitation of her equipments may have been, she was at least spared the provocation of a scornful and wondering audience, greeting her efforts on every side with that now unendurable remark, "No es costumbre."

I afterward learned the cause of the commotion, when it transpired that such services as floor-cleaning are performed, not by the mozo, but by a servant hired for the occasion, outside the household.

In a few moments my lavandera —washerwoman—entered, accompanied by her two pretty, shy little girls. Having complimented the fresh appearance of the house,—Pancho now and then explaining what he had done,—she informed me that the following day would be the dia de santo—saint's day—of one of her bright-eyed chiquitas, and "hay costumbre" ("there is a custom") of receiving tokens on these days from interested friends. Acting upon this hint, I went to my bedroom, followed by Juana and the niñas, who displayed great surprise at every step. My red and yellow covered beds they tapped