if it were not very sad for me in their country. But I had not the courage to tell them it was sad for me; in truth I was so intensely interested in them, and their peculiarities, there was no room for dwelling on myself.
They evidently appreciated my friendly spirit and the willingness with which I allowed them to examine my toilet, not even resenting the liberty of one, somewhat more inquisitive than the rest, who lifted my dress a little to explore my hose, on which they murmured repeatedly: "She is very simpática" a word for which we have no exact equivalent in English, but which perhaps explains itself.
It was among these country people that I first observed any departure from the national type of feature and complexion. Some of them had glossy brown hair, gray eyes, and skin as fair as an Anglo-Saxon; while others had red hair, freckled faces, and pale blue eyes. The parents of one of these was pointed out to me. They were of swarthy brown complexion, with black hair, dark eyes, and in fact, all the characteristics which I had come to regard as typically Mexican. Among them all I observed the same gentleness of demeanor, and courteous bearing, which had already so forcibly impressed me in the city, among all classes.
Birth and education had nothing to do with it. It was an exquisite instinct, common to the people as a nation. Even here in Palomas, among a plain untutored population, of the laboring class, especially among the ignorant, wondering women who had dissected my toilet with such innocent complacency, it struck me, for in spite of their unconventional behavior, they were as gentle and courteous as royal duchesses.
About twelve o'clock, the family began making preparations for serving dinner, which I watched with keen interest. One of the daughters of the hacendado—came into the parlor, and mounting a chair, on which she had placed a box, opened a small door high up in the wall, which I had not before observed. From this snug retreat—the alhacena—she carefully drew forth cups and saucers of exquisite china, as fragile as egg-shells, and beautifully ornamented. When she had
