And at the same time something obstinate and mature, a demonish maturity, opposing her in an animal way.
“You mean we aren’t real people, we have nothing of our own, except killing and death," he said, quite matter of fact.
“I don’t know," she said, startled by his interpretation. "I only say how it makes me feel.”
“You are very clever, Mrs Leslie,” came Don Ramón’s quiet, but heavy teasing voice behind her. It is quite true. Whenever a Mexican cries Viva! he ends up with Muera! When he says Viva! he really means Death for Somebody or Other! I think of all the Mexican revolutions, and I see a skeleton walking ahead of a great number of people, waving a black banner with Viva la Muerte! written in large white letters. Long live Death! Not Viva Cristo Rey! but Viva Muerte Rey! Vamos! Viva!"
Kate looked round. Don Ramón was flashing his knowing brown Spanish eyes, and a little sardonic smile lurked under his moustache. Instantly Kate and he, Europeans in essence, understood one another. He was waving his arm to the last Viva!
"But,” said Kate, “I don’t want to say Viva la Muerte!”
"But when you are real Mexican—" he said, teasing.
"I never could be," she said hotly, and he laughed.
“I’m afraid Viva la Muerte! hits the nail on the head,” said Mrs Norris, rather stonily. "But won’t you come to tea! Do!”
She led the way in her black little shawl and neat grey hair, going ahead like a Conquistador herself, and turning to look with her Aztec eyes through her pince-nez, to see if the others were coming.
“We are following," said Don Ramón in Spanish, teasing her. Stately in his black suit, he walked behind her on the narrow terrace, and Kate followed, with the small, strutting Don Cipriano, also in a black suit, lingering oddly near her.
“Do I call you General or Don Cipriano?" she asked, turning to him.
An amused little smile quickly lit his face, though his eyes did not smile. They looked at her with a black, sharp look.
“As you wish,” he said. “You know General is a term of disgrace in Mexico. Shall we say Don Cipriano?"
"Yes, I like that much the best," she said.
