OTHER ASPECTS OF THE MEXICAN 141 



holidays, for him who chooses to enjoy them. 

 But Juan despises these incessant holidays, 

 which to the American ranchero cause much 

 and sore vexation of spirit. Some indispen- 

 sable work is due to be done on the morrow. 



* But, sefiora,' says Hernandez firmly, 

 though courteously, ' to-morrow we do not 

 work. It is a holiday in our Church.' 



Juan declares that these holidays are for 

 the lazy ones, and we know that there are 

 many lazy ones. 



On these festive days waggons roll by 

 from dawn till dusk for the holiday begins 

 with Mass at the church laden with loud- 

 voiced natives ; the women, more rarely the 

 men, in gala attire, the inevitable black shawl 

 sorry aftermath of the mantilla drawn 

 over their heads. They visit their friends, 

 talk endlessly, drink wine, at night, perhaps, 

 hold a baile. 



On the Eve of the Feast of St. Genevieve 

 the natives treat the town to an illumination. 

 All day the householders are engaged in 

 placing rows of paper bags filled with sand 

 along the edges of the flat-roofed houses. 

 In the sand they plant candles. When the 



