But I am a
half American, you know. Perhaps that is what makes me so bad."
"Will you catch it for talking to me?"
"Oh yes. It is not allowed. It is most improper."
"Then I suppose I'd better leave." Anthony settled himself more
comfortably upon the bench. "And yet there is nothing really wrong
about it, is there? Why, it's done every day in my country.
Besides, who's going to know?"
"The padre. I tell him everything."
"You girls down here have a pretty tough time of it; you are
guarded pretty closely, aren't you?"
She gave him a puzzled look.
"I mean, you don't have any liberty. You don't go out alone, or
let fellows take you to lunch, or to the matinee, or anything like
that?"
Evidently the mere mention of such things was shocking. "Oh,
senor," she cried, incredulously, "such terrible actions cannot be
permitted even in your country. It is awful to think of!"
"Nonsense! It's done every day."
"Here it would not do at all. One's people know best about such
things. One must be careful at all times. But you Americans are so
wicked!"
"How does a fellow ever get acquainted with a girl down here? How
does he get a chance to propose?"
But this frank questioning on so sacred a topic was a little more
than the young lady was prepared to meet, and for the moment
confusion held her tongue-tied.
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