" Gilbert winced at the word. "Americans! Bah! Fishes! Zat is all!
Fishes what ees poor! Bah! For you I am finish!" And he snapped his fingers
again. His face was purple with rage.
He heard Gilbert murmuring only, "I'm sorry!"
"Sorry! Ees all you can say--sorry! Ze coward! Ze fool! Ze fish what are
poor! Ze damn doormat for everybody to walk from!" His arms were flying in
the air. "All day I 'ave try to make ze man from you! It are no use. Ees no
man in you. Only ze damn fool what are sorry! Bah! All right. You will not
let me make you 'appy? _Bueno!_ Zen I shall go back and make you on'appy
and serve you damn good right!" He pointed to Lucia. "You will not take
'er?"
Gilbert had stood still during this tirade. "I've tried to explain--" he
began once more.
"Bah!" cried Lopez. "Zen I take her!"
At last the American was roused. "You take her!" he cried.
"Sure! All day I 'ave want 'er. Ees ze first time in my life when I want
woman all day and not--as favor I give 'er to you. Now, since you too big
damn fool not to take 'er yourself, I take 'er myself. And what you know
about 'im?" He paused, and called out, "Pedro!"
Fearful at what might happen, Gilbert said, "Wait a minute.
Pages:
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236