Tia Marta fully believed in the Spanish saying, "He who sings frightens away his ills." It was as Arturo thought.

Tia Marta had failed to get the day's washing she had expected to have.

This seemed very unfortunate, for there was but little in the house to eat.

Beans, one of the main staples of food among the Mexicans, were almost gone from the household supplies, and there was no money to buy more.

Tia Marta had cooked the last of the beans for supper.