Page:Here and there in Yucatan - miscellanies (IA herethereinyucat00lepl 0).djvu/53

 The wake lasted two days and nights; by the time the woman really expired, her money was all gone. A grave had been dug the day she fell sick; now she was carried to it in a deal coffin. The priest was not called to utter a prayer over the corpse, because, said they, there was no money to pay him.

That affair was a nine days' scandal, even among those simple-minded people.

One Sunday evening we received a pressing invitation to the house of Señor Mendiburu, the Alcalde, whose youngest child was to be baptized. We found the parlor illuminated with three or four lamps, several women seated on one side of the room, men on the other. Upon a table there were goblets, and bottles of ale, more expensive there than the best Spanish wine, hence preferred.

The baby was brought from the bedroom to be taken to church by the sponsors and the male guests, the women remaining at home with the parents. On their return the infant was carried back to the bedroom, no one manifesting the least interest in it.

Sponsors are expected to offer a gift according to their means. In the peninsula, well-to-do families scatter silver medios among those who follow the procession to the church. The guests are presented with pretty cards that have a silver or gold coin attached to them. On the card is printed the name