e the fish-woman passed to the table of Rosario, where her
language was stronger still. And Rosario called that being a lady? A mad
dog, rather, a mad dog, yes--not to use the real word! "Don't you look
at me like that, you jackanape, or I'll give you this pair of scales
over your head, I will! That's what I get for being nice to you two
brats. That's the way you treat an old friend of your mother! Well, now,
Your Highness, this nonsense is going to stop, and stop here--just
because I say so, I! Look at that poor Dolores over there, crying
because her ear hurts so. Is that the way decent people fight, pulling
each other's ears off? Only sneaks fight like that--sneaks, do you hear?
When you fight, you fight straightforward and honest. Strike as hard as
you want, but where it won't do any harm. Man alive! In my time I've
pulled the hair of every wench in the market. You get their skirts up,
and you take your shoe, and there, where it's all soft and tender,
whack, whack, whack, till they have to sit on one side for a week. But
after that ... a cup of chocolate in the cafe, and then ... better
friends than ever. Yes, sir, that's the way respectable people fight.
And that's what you are going to do, if I have to lick you every inch of
the way. You won't, eh! Well, we'll see! Dolores is stealing your man,
eh! Ten thousand fleas on the good-for-nothing, anyhow! Excuse me, the
girls don't chase the men. It's the men that chase the girls. Listen to
me, dearie. If you want that man of yours to mind his business, you just
keep things going at home right and proper. Keep him busy! Keep him
busy! Then he won't go browsing around where he don't belong. _Dios!_
such girls as are growing up nowadays. As much brains as so many geese.
I'd like to see a man of mine with enough to him to have anything to
spare for other women! Anyhow ... this mess is all over. You're going to
make up ... because I say so, if not for a better reason.... Otherwise
_tia_ Picores will take a hand...."

And with a mixture of threats and words of endearment the sturdy dean of
the fish-women went muttering back to her place, to sell the rest of her
stock.

Work was over early that day. There was quite a demand for fish in town,
and the counters were emptying by noontime. The vendors began to sweep
their leavings into kegs of cracked ice and to cover them with damp
cloths. The teamsters were collecting their baskets, large and small,
and piling them up in the tai