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Show All the Variables & Other Love Stories 28 work. At home again with Esperanza, Casabon inquired: "Where do you go? Don't say with friends." "That's what," she insisted. "Do you know Hightower?" "Yes," she said. "He ain't your friend." "Yes." "Well he ain't my friend nor will he ever be." "That's fine." "I don't want you to go there," Casabon said. "I say stay here with me." Casabon fled to cantina for the compassion he could not find elsewhere and there found some other men whose homes were tossed by the selfsame devil. Stefano Rojo was first to speak. His Lucinda met up with Hightower in the plaza shortly after his coming and began spending one afternoon a week beyond Stefano's knowledge. Soon it was two days a week, and finally, most of her time with this Hightower. He feared the worst. Now he saw all the daughters of Taos tilling Hightower's earth and constructing his home. Todd Rhett described how his bride, too, Francesca, favored Hightower's company to all other. She would not heed her husband's threats first nor his tears later. Now she goes immodestly, not even lying to him about her destination: she goes to ranch. But won't tell him why she goes or what she goes to do. All the men spoke their turn and together heard these tales and aspired to bloody insurrection. But the night wore hot with passion and hurt, and through the hours cantina |