"But Dolores went to Cofradia last night. I don't
know, but they say they came to fetch her to help Uncle
Matias' girl who's big with child."

"You don't say, Panchita?"

The three old women came together forming an ani-
mated group, and speaking in low tones, began to gossip
with great gusto.

"Certainly, I swear it, by God up there in heaven."

"Well, well, I was the first one to say that Marcelina
was big with child, wasn't I? But of course no one would
believe me."

"Poor girl. It's going to be terrible if the kid is her
uncle's, you know!"

"God forbid!"

"Of course it's not her uncle: Nazario had nothing to
do with it, I know. It was them damned soldiers, that's
who done it."

"God, what a bloody mess! Another unhappy woman!"

The cackle of the old hens finally awakened Demetrio.
They kept silent for a moment; then Panchita, taking