nonsense. How dare he! How dare he take such nonsense seriously! How does he dare!”
“Does he believe in it himself?” asked Kate.
“Himself? But, Señora—” and Doña Carlota gave a pitiful, pitying smile of contempt. “How could he! As if it were possible. After all he is an educated man! How could he believe in such nonsense!”
“Then why does he do it?”
“Why? Why?” There was a tone of unspeakable weariness in Doña Carlota’s voice. “I wish I knew. I think he has gone insane, as Mexicans do. Insane like Francisco Villa, the bandit.”
Kate thought of the pug-faced notorious Pancho Villa in wonder, unable to connect him with Don Ramón.
“All the Mexicans, as soon as they rise above themselves, go that way,” said Doña Carlota. “Their pride gets the better of them. And then they understand nothing, nothing but their