Three-Cornered Halo (30 page)

Tomaso looked very much ashamed of himself. El Exaltida should never have cause to regret his clemency, he said.

“It is El Margherita's clemency,” said Cousin Hat, piously.

Ah, the good one, the bless'éd one! Tomaso cast up his eyes to heaven. What a life, Senorita, must a man henceforward lead, who had been through such an experience. With what virtue must he surround his family circle, with what submission to authority, temper his political views: with what prudence and honesty conduct his business.… And business was booming, said Tomaso, coming down to earth; already, thanks to Juanita, he was rich, already the order had gone forth to El Hamid for as many snuff-boxes per month as he could turn out, already every box in the Joyeria had been sold.…

But that was not entirely accurate: there were still two or three left. Cousin Hat and Mr Cecil saw them as they drove on past the shop. They were tastefully arranged in the window, each bearing its legend, ‘Mad in San Juan'; each with a large card propped up beside it saying simply, ‘Smugled'; each hugely priced. Each marked
RELIQUARY:
and containing respectively a pin-head of silver, a snippet of old blanket—a single fish-skin pearl.

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copyright © 1957 by Christianna Brand

cover design by Mumtaz Mustafa

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