made no mention of our untoward absence and one would have believed that
she had not noticed it, and that relieved us very much.

"You certainly are late," said my father to Teresa on our return.

"I thought we'd never get through," said the good woman. "For you see,
Paula had to spend--"

"Oh, yes, I understand. She had to get rid of her five francs.

"And now, Paula, show me what you have bought."

"All right. Here you are, uncle!"

Paula had always shown a certain timidity toward my father, and appeared to
be slightly afraid of him. Slightly red in the face, she took out the
packages one after the other from Teresa's bag.

"You shall see, sir. You shall see," commented Teresa, with a shake of her
head.

"What a lot of packages!" said Rosa, on seeing all the bundles tied up with
such care.

"Shall I help you open them?" said my father. "Let us see what's in this
first package. My, my, what's this? White grapes! And of the finest kind!
You certainly have got good taste. I'll say that much, Paula!"

"They are for Catalina, uncle."