United States or Pakistan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
If don Rafael were a serious, melancholy lad, that defect was chargeable to his interest in books, and at the Casino, the "Party's" Club, he would say to his fellow-worshippers: "You'll see something doing when Rafaelito grows up. That kid is going to be another Canovas."
We are going to be friends, and nothing more than friends, ever! Why, there are tears in your eyes! Well, here. Come ... kiss my hand, I will let you ... as you did that night there, like that! I could be yours only if I loved you; but alas! I shall never fall in love with the dashing Rafaelito!
Here in this solitude I have been able to study myself at leisure, see myself as I really am. I recognize it plain as day: I am nothing, nothing. Good looking?... Well, yes; I confess I am not what you'd call ugly. Even if, with a ridiculous false modesty, I were to say I was, there's my past history to prove that plenty of men have found me beautiful. But, alas, Rafaelito!
Her irony and deliberate frankness wounded Rafael cruelly. "Hello, Rafaelito," she would say sometimes as he came in. "You here again? Better look out! People will be talking about us before long. Then what will mama say to you?" And Rafael would be stung to the quick.
Cupido would shout, without, however, taking his eyes from the water ahead. "Look out, Rafaelito, or we'll get smashed!" The boat was indeed a good one, for any other, would long before have come to grief in those rapids jammed with rocks and debris. They were around the city in no time. Few lighted windows were now to be seen.
And with a turn of her head in the direction of the city that was hidden from view behind the rows of orange-trees, she laughed disdainfully. Then her gleeful frankness returned once more a candor of which she was always ready to make herself the first victim and in a low, confidential, affectionate tone she continued: "Besides, Rafaelito, you haven't had a good look at me.
Renovales had seen him come into the studio one afternoon, trembling with excitement, his eyes flashing, and showing a telegram. "Don Mariano, I have a Mercedes; they have just announced its shipment." The painter looked blank. Who was that personage with the woman's name? And Rafaelito smiled with pity. "The best make, a Mercedes, better than a Panhard; everyone knows that.
It was very nice of him, wasn't it?" The old woman seemed quite to have lost her mind from terror. She looked vacantly at the new arrivals, as if they had been there all their lives. At last she seemed to realize what they were saying. "Why, it's Rafael!" she exclaimed in surprise. "Rafaelito.... And you came to see us in such weather! Suppose you get drowned?
It was enough to watch Rafael picking flowers and weaving them into the girl's hair while she pretended to fight him off, blushing like a rose, and quite moved at such homage. "Now be good, Rafaelito," Remedios would murmur in a sort of entreating bleat, "don't touch me; don't be so bold."
"Good morning, Rafaelito ... we are seeing each other betimes today.... I am up so early not to miss the marketing. I remember that Wednesday was always a great event in my life, as a child. What a crowd!..."
Word Of The Day