The Two Senoras While Capitan Tiago was gambling on his _lasak_, Dona Victorina was taking a walk through the town for the purpose of observing how the indolent Indians kept their houses and fields.

She was dressed as elegantly as possible with all her ribbons and flowers over her silk gown, in order to impress the provincials and make them realize what a distance intervened between them and her sacred person.

Giving her arm to her lame husband, she strutted along the streets amid the wonder and stupefaction of the natives.

Her cousin Linares had remained in the house.
"What ugly shacks these Indians have!" she began with a grimace.

"I don't see how they can live in them--one must have to be an Indian! And how rude they are and how proud! They don't take off their hats when they meet us! Hit them over the head as the curates and the officers of the Civil Guard do--teach them politeness!" "And if they hit me back ?" asked Dr.De Espadana.
"That's what you're a man for!" "B-but, I'm l-lame!" Dona Victorina was falling into a bad humor.