CHAPTER XVIII
AUTO DA FE
Ramón saw Carlota and his boys in the city, but it was a rather fruitless meeting. The elder boy was just uncomfortable in the presence of his father, but the younger Cyprian, who was delicate and very intelligent, had a rather lofty air of displeasure with his parent.
‘Do you know what they sing, papa?’ he said.
‘Not all the things they sing,’ said Ramón.
‘They sing—’ the boy hesitated. Then, in his clear young voice, he piped up, to the tune of La Cucaracha:
‘Don Ramón don’t drink, don’t smoke.
Doña Carlota wished he would.
He’s going to wear the sky-blue cloak
That he’s stolen from the Mother of God.’
‘No, I’m not,’ said Ramón, smiling. ‘Mine’s got a snake and a bird in the middle, and black zigzags and a red fringe. You’d better come and see it.’
‘No
