es are neither bright nor
dull: they are very black, and slowly roll in their sockets. His mouth
is narrow. He has a double chin, and a short flat nose. His forehead
is broad, and his lips are thick. His hair is black and straight. His
body is round like a pumpkin, and his legs are short. He seems to be
always tired. In spite of all these physical peculiarities, however,
he is invited to every bayluhan and katapusan, [96] because he is
sure to bring with him laughter and merriment.

Juan lives in a poor barrio, which consists of a few poor nipa
huts. It has a small chapel of stone, with a turret and bells. In
the courtyard in front of the chapel is erected a cross. A few nipa
cottages are scattered along the lonely streets of the barrio. There
is a rivulet just outside the village. Its course is hidden and lost
in a thick forest which extends to the foot of a mountain.

At the time the story opens Juan is eating his breakfast with his
mother. She is an old widow, whose sole ambition is to establish
Juan in a good social position. She is constantly advising her
son, when there is any occasion to preach, to be on the lookout
for a virtuous wife. She tells him that, since she is an old and
experienced woman, he must follow her advice. Her advice is that a
good wife is always quiet and tongue-tied, and does not go noisily
about the house. As Juan is an obedient son, he soon determines to get
him a good wife. After a short time Juan comes home to his mother,
and says to her, "Mother, I have found the girl you will like,--the
one who shall be my wife. She is speechless and motionless. Her eyes
are staring in just one place. Though I have watched her closely for
about twelve hours, I have not observed the slightest motion in her
lips and eyelids. She remained quiet in her bed, although there were
many noisy people in the house."

"And is that all?" says his mother.

"No, mother," says Juan, "her hands were very cold. She was deaf,
and she did not answer me. This fact makes her all the lovelier,
and I am sure you will like her. There is only one thing you did not
tell me, however."

"I think," says the mother, "that I advised you well."

"Yes, I think so too," says Juan. "The girl had a stinking waxy-like
odor."

"O Juan!" exclaims his mother, "I already suspected from your long
description that you followed my instructions too literally. The girl
you found is a dead one. Now, remember: those who stink are dead."

"T