It is because of Stephanie
that the fairies have gone away from here."
"If we wait a minute, maybe they'll come out."
"No. I have waited many times and I never saw them."
"Somehow I feel sure we'll see 'em this time," he urged. Then, as
she shook her head doubtfully: "Good heavens! Don't you want to
see 'em? I'm so tired that I must sit down."
The corners of her eyes wrinkled as she said, "You are not very
strong, senor. Have you been ill?"
"Yes--no. Not exactly." He led her to a bamboo bench beside the
palm hut. "I've been hunting. Now won't you please tell me how you
chanced to be here? I thought these country places were unoccupied
at this season."
"So they are. But, you see, I am doing a penance."
"Penance! You?"
"Oh yes. And it is nothing to laugh about, either," she chided, as
he smiled incredulously, "I am a bad girl; I am disobedient.
Otherwise I would not allow you to speak to me alone like this.
You are the first gentleman I have ever been so long in the
company with, Senor Antonio."
"Really?"
"Now I will have to do more penance." She sighed sadly, but her
eyes were dancing.
"I don't understand this penance affair. What do you do?"
She lifted a fold of her coarse denim dress. "For six months I
must wear these garments--no pretty ones.
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