THE MEXICAN IN NEW MEXICO 29 



done I have kept account of in my head, and 

 it is fifteen dollars.' 



The Senora (praying for patience) : ' Juan, 

 have I ever failed to pay you what I owe 

 you?' 



Juan : 'No, senora, never. But I make 

 out that you owe me fifteen dollars.' 



The Senora : ' Now listen to me, Juan. 

 Here are fifteen books in a pile. I take 

 away five, then three, then two ; how many 

 are left ? Five, are there not ?' 



'Yes, five. But, senora, I make out 

 that ' 



' Juan, you took away the money just as 

 I have taken away the books. You can't 

 take away and still have the same.' 



A silence. At last Juan, resignedly : 



' 'Sta bueno, senora ! If you are content, 

 I am. I just figured on the fifteen dollars, but 

 if you claim you don't owe me that much ' 



He shrugs his shoulders, sighs, and spreads 

 his hands. 



The Senora (firmly) : ' Juan, that won't 

 do. I will write the account down on a 

 separate sheet of paper, and you shall carry 

 it to Mr. ' (naming a merchant of 



