FINALES 231 



nosing about the tufts of grass. In front of some 

 of the hohios are a few flowering shrubs planted 

 for decoration. Usually about the houses there are 

 several small naked children, always a dog or two 

 of ferocious mien, some chickens, a few pigs and 

 cats, sometimes a goat, generally a parrot, and 

 not infrequently some gamecocks tethered to 

 stakes. 



Crossing from Tumbadero to Hermanos, a short 

 quarter-mile over the level valley floor, two of us 

 entered a hohio to beg a drink of water. A very 

 old woman greeted us with apologies that she 

 could not offer us coffee, as she possessed no sugar, 

 and coffee without sugar, we must know, is like 

 a soul without hope or redemption. She wished to 

 know where we came from . ' ' From Washington , ' ' 

 a place she had never heard mentioned, but, in 

 general, from the United States. "Holy Saints, 

 and how long does the journey take?" ''Several 

 days.** "God Almighty, and have you wives and 

 families there? " "Yes, most of us have.*' "Christ 

 Jesus and his Mother of perfect purity, have you 

 left them there alone?" "Yes," we guiltily con- 

 fessed, "we have, but we are determined to return 

 to them, come what may.'* "It is well," and she 



