Chapter 13 Andalusian Elegy 13

Suddenly, without warning, the sharp drum beat broke the tranquility of the street.Then a hoarse voice gasped and yelled, with a long trembling voice.There was the sound of running, and the children shouted: "The old man of Western view is here! Western view! Western view!" A small green box was placed on a folding chair at the corner of the street, the top of the box was decorated with small red flags, and the mirror was facing the sun.The old man beat the drum again and again.A group of poor children stood quietly around the box with their hands in their pockets or behind their backs.After a while, a child came running with a copper coin.He stepped forward and turned his eyes to the camera.

"Now...you'll see...General Prim...on his white horse," said the old man in a foreign land wearily, beating on his drum. "Port of Barcelona!" Another drumbeat.Other children came one after another with their coins, and handed them to the old man, staring at him intently, ready to buy illusions from him.the old man said; "Now you'll see the Castle of Havana!" Beat the drum again. Bella watched the peep show with the little girl and dog across the street, and had fun putting his big head among the little ones.The old man immediately said with good humor:

"Where's your copper plate!" The children without money laughed even though they were not in the mood, and begged the old man with submissive eyes.