V
Half of the dinner passed in unbroken silence. Magdalena sat at one endof the table, her father at the other, their wants attended to by threeChinese servants. Magdalena was not eating: she was summoning up courageto speak on a subject that was fast conquering her reticence. Herthoughts were not interrupted. Don Roberto was a man of few words. Hehad been an eloquent caballero in his youth, but had grown to be ascareful of words as of investments. He liked to be amused by women; but,as he rightly judged, no amount of development could make his wife anddaughter amusing, so he encouraged them to hold their tongues. He deeplyresented Magdalena's lack of beauty; all the women of his house had beenfamous throughout the Californias for their beauty. It was the duty of aYorba to be beautiful--while young; after thirty it mattered nothing.
Magdalena had completed the structure of her courage. She did nothing byhalves, and she knew that she should not break down.
"Papa," she said.
"Well?"
"Helena is going to New York and to Paris to school. She is going tolive with relatives, but she will attend school."
"She need."
"I thought you liked Helena."
"I like; but she need the discipline more than all the girls inCalifornia."
"I shall be very lonely without her."
"Suppose so; but now is the time to learn plenty, and no think so muchby the play."
"I should like to go with her."
"Suppose so."
"May I?"
"No."
"But you would not miss me, nor mamma either."
"I choose you shall be educate at home. I no approve of the schools. SiHelena Belmont was my daughter, I take the green hide reata to her everymorning; but Belmont so soffit, the school is better for her. You stayhere. No say any more about it."
"Could I not travel with her after? I want to travel."
"Si I find time one day go abroad, I take you; but you no go with HelenaBelmont. I no am surprise si she make herself the talk of Europe."
"Could not mamma go with me?"
"Your mother no leave the husband! Never she propose such a thing!"
"Do you think you will be able to go soon?"
"Very doubt. The Californian who leave the business for a year workinglike the dog for five after. Si he find one red cent when he come back,he is lucky. The man no knowing just where he is even when he stand overthe spot."
"Then when Helena goes, can I go to Santa Barbara for awhile and visitaunt?"
"You no can! I no wish you ask the reason. You never go to the South!Never before you talk so much, by Scott!"
The Californians Page 5
