Part 20 (1/2)
”Well, I'm going to run out home,” said Harry, getting ready to leave, ”I'll see you at the funeral.”
”All right, dear,” said Pearl, as she kissed him goodbye.
”Don't you think we better go over and see if there is anything we might do? I'll get a check cashed and take enough money over to pay the expenses for the flowers, since you insist on paying all the funeral expenses--the least I can do will be to see that she has lovely flowers, poor kid.”
”That's right, Ev, we had better go on over--I'll have to get a check cashed, too.”
They called a taxi and started for Juarez, and as the car pulled over the bridge, and under the shed where all cars stop to be questioned by the Mexican officials before entering Juarez, there were soldiers everywhere.
”Why are you Senoritas going to Juarez at this time,” asked one of the officials.
”We are going over to attend the funeral of the American girl who was shot Sat.u.r.day night in the Rio Bravo Hotel,” answered Pearl.
”What other business have you to attend to over there?”
”None.”
”You will pardon, Senorita, but may I suggest that as soon as possible you will return to the American side--the rebels have left Chihuahua City by train, and they may arrive at any time from one o'clock to six.”
”Thanks, we will,” answered Pearl, as the official motioned to the driver to drive on.
”I bet there will be some wild carrying on here with the rebels, when they do arrive,” laughed Evelyn.
”I wonder if there will be much fighting?”
”Sure, there will be fighting, and lots of screaming and running. The way they carry on you think there is twice as much fighting as there really is.”
”I guess we had better try and get back before the rebels arrive. What do you think, Ev?”
”Well, after the funeral we will come back. We won't waste any time.”
”Come right in, Senoritas,” said the Mexican undertaker, as he bowed low to them.
”You have made the necessary arrangements that we called you about this morning?”
”Si, Senorita.”
”How much is the whole bill?” asked Pearl, as she fished into her bag.
”Four hundred Pesos, Senorita.”
”How much American?”
”That will be two hundred dollars, Senorita, and that is everything. I have already had the grave dug, and the time you said over the phone is the time the funeral will take place. I, Senorita, have taken the privilege of calling a Padre--was that right?”
”That's O. K. by me, don't you think, Ev?”
”Sure.”
”Here's your money,” as she handed him two hundred dollars.