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Elvira called the man who sold cigarettes (Padilla)
I am coming he said.
Give me two cigarettes; I will pay you tomorrow
Good he said and took out two cigarettes
One is for tomorrow she said; you know, for after dinner
Good, he said; here you have credit and smiled with a gesture of gallantry. She smiled also.
Listen, would you give a message (recado) to Macario.
See if he is able to play "Luisa Fernanda, please.
He went dragging his feet up to the stage to the musicians. The man had already been looking at Elvira and decided "to break the ice."
They are pretty, those Spanish Operas, true?
She answered with a smile that he interpreted as a gesture of sympathy.
…and they are very sentimental; true, he said.
She half closed her eyes. The man newly took a stronger (fuerzas) look.
…Do you like the theater, he said.
Yes, it is good she replied.
He laughed and applauded as if were a very funny thing and continued. True, True. And the movie. … do you also like the movies?
At times, she said.
He had a stronger thought and blushed up to his eyebrows.
…the movies are dark, he said, eh, how do you feel about that?
Elvira behaved in a dignified, mistrustful way. (mostró =showed) I go to the movies just to see the picture she said.
The man reacted. True, naturally, I also. I have said to those young men, clearly, for those little birds…All of us have been young! I see that you smoke, he said, if you will permit me, it would give me much pleasure in….lets , in proportion, take a package of cigarettes. He spoke very fast, anxiously. She responded as (indignation/ desprecio), put out her hand as someone having a handle for a skillet. (holding out her hand as if holding the handle of a skillet…..But why not, he said. If it is a whim…(as if playing games)
He called the vendor and bought a package. He (entregar - to deliver) smiled a big smile at Elvira.
She put on her coat, took her hat and left. Before she left, he said, I am glad to meet you.
Leoncio Maestre at your service. I hope we will meet another day and that we will be very good friends.
He waited a little while for the street car
He is thinking of himself….
Ass, Ass you are, disgraceful you miserable wretch. What are you thinking.
He was thinking of Elvira. She is cute, she is very cute. For sure and appears to be a refined girl. I know she is not a tramp. What do you know anyway. Every life is a novel. I am sure she is from a good family. Now she is working in some office, in some syndicate. She has a sad face; it is necessary that someone give here love and a lot of pampering.
His heart jumped below his shirt. Tomorrow I will return. Yes, without a doubt. Yes, if she is there it is a good sign or if she is not there. I will search for her
He pulled his coat up around his neck and had two thoughts …Elvira, Elvira is a pretty name.. I believe that the package if cigarettes was a good thing. Tomorrow she will repeat my name…Leoncio, Leoncio, Leoncio. I expect that she will use a name more dear..Leo, Oncio, Oncete. I will take a glass of beer (to celebrate) because I have earned it.
He stopped at a bar, put his walking stick on the bar and took a seat at the counter. At his side in a banquet seat was a girl smiling at him. He turned his back (aguantar). Denying to smile for that had seemed to him as a betrayal, the first betrayal he had made to Elvirita.
He said….no Elvirita, No, Elvira. It is a simple (sencillo) name, a name very pretty.
The smiling woman on the seat spoke over his shoulder….Give me a light fellow?
He gave her a light trembling. …took his walking stick and went out into the street in a hurry.
..Elvira….Elvira he repeated.
…
Elvira took the novel from the night table and turned out the light. "The mysteries of Paris" stayed in the dark beside a glass of water, she took off her stockings and her lipstick. Before she slept she always thought a little. Mrs. Rosa was right; it is best to return with the old man, being that she was old, so (así) I am not able to go on trying to be young. He is a (baboso) drooling old man, but after all I am not much to choose from.
Don Leoncio Maestre had to make two fundamental decisions. First, it is evident to him that Elvira is not a tramp, he could see it in her face. She is a fine young girl, from a good family, that had some problem with them but had done well. How strange! Que caramba!
The second decision was should he go again (newly) after dinner to the Café of doña Rosa to see if Elvira had returned there.
Hester Chamberlain
Learning Assistance Center
Eastfield College