Page 11 - ramona-text

R A M O N A 3
Juan Canito wanted the shearing to begin, even though
Seiior Felipe were ill in bed, and though that lazy shepherd
Luigo had not yet got back with the flock that had been
driven up the coast for pasture. "There were plenty of sheep
—
on the place to begin with/' he said one morning, "at least
a thousand;" and by the time they were done, Luigo would
surely be back with the rest ; and as for Senor Felipe's being
in bed, had not he, Juan Canito. stood at the packing-bag,
and handled the wool, when Sehor Felipe was a boy? Why
could he not do it again? The Senora did not realize how
time was going; there would be no shearers to be hired pres-
ently, since the Seiiora was determined to have none but
Indians. Of course, if she would employ Mexicans, as all the
other ranches in the valley did, it would be diilerent; but
—
she was resolved upon having Indians, "God knows why,"
he interpolated surlily, under his breath.
"I do not quite understand you, Juan," interrupted Seiiora
Moreno at the precise instant the last syllable of this disre-
spectful ejaculation had escaped Juan's lips; "speak a little
louder. 1 fear I am growing deaf in my old age."
What gentle, suave, courteous tones! and the calm dark
eyes rested on Juan Canito with a look to the fathoming of
which he was as unequal as one of his own sheep would
have been. He could not have told why he instantly and
involuntarily said, "Beg your pardon, Senora."
"Oh, you need not ask my pardon, Juan," the Senora re-
plied with exquisite gentleness; "it is not you who are to
blame, if I am deaf. 1 have fancied for a year I did not hear
quite as well as 1 once did. But about the Indians, Juan;
did not Senor Felipe tell you that he had positively engaged
the same band of shearers we had last autumn, Alessandro's
band from Temecula? They will wait until we are ready for
them. Senor Felipe will send a messenger for them. He thinks
them the best shearers in the country. He will be well enough
in a week or two, he thinks, and the poor sheep must bear
their loads a few days longer. Are they looking well, do you
think, Juan? W^ill the crop be a good one? General Moreno
used to say that you could reckon up the wool-crop to a
pound, while it was on the sheep's backs."