' Do
not be impetuous."
"There's only one thing I'm seeking."
"My father is a stern man. In his home he is entirely a Spaniard,
and if he learned how we met, for instance"-even under the
electric light he saw her flush-"he would create a terrible
scene." She paused in her walk and leaned over the stone
balustrade, staring out across the ink-black harbor.
"Trust me! I shan't tell him."
"There are so many reasons why it is useless."
"Name one."
"One!" She shrugged lightly. "In the first place I care nothing
for you. Is not that enough?"
"No, indeed. You'll get over that."
"Let us imagine, then, the contrary. You Americans are entirely
different from our people. You are cold, deliberate, wicked-your
social customs are not like ours. You do not at all understand us.
How then could you be interested to meet a Spanish family?"
"Why, you're half American."
"Oh yes, although it is to be regretted. Even at school in your
Baltimore I learned many improper things, against which I have had
to struggle ever since."
"For instance?"
"Ah," she sighed, "I saw so much liberty; I heard of the shocking
conduct of your American ladies, and, while I know it is quite
wrong and wicked, still-it is interesting. Why, there is no other
nice girl in all Panama who would have talked with you as I did in
the forest that day.
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