"My d-dear, I've never had hold of a--"
But she did not let him finish. With a majestic sweep of her hand
she snatched out his false teeth and trampled them in the street.
Thus, he half-crying and she breathing fire, they reached tile
house. Linares was talking with Maria Clara, Sinang, and Victoria, and
as he had heard nothing of the quarrel, became rather uneasy at sight
of his cousins. Maria Clara, lying in an easy-chair among pillows and
wraps, was greatly surprised to see the new physiognomy of her doctor.
"Cousin," began Dona Victorina, "you must challenge the alferez right
away, or--"
"Why?" asked the startled Linares.
"You challenge him right now or else I'll tell everybody here who
you are."
"But, Dona Victorina!"
The three girls exchanged glances.
"You'll see! The alferez has insulted us and said that you are what
you are! His old hag came down with a whip and he, this thing here,
permitted the insult--a man!"
"Aba!" exclaimed Sinang, "they're had a fight and we didn't see it!"
"The alferez smashed the doctor's teeth," observed Victoria.
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