184
PARTISAN REVIEW
he spoke, and those who turned around to see why there was laugh–
ter at his table failed to connect it with him.
"El ]efe
is having a huge time," said Citron to Paco who was
sprinkling cheese on his chicken. "A great and serious mind is
playing. There you have a picture. But you know, he deserves
credit; he's pretty old for such a life, a man in his fifties."
"Maybe it's the Indian part of him," said Paco.
"Whatever it is it serves him well. You were in Iguala, you
don't know. He's a very energetic man. It's really too bad you
weren't there, I think you would have appreciated it. By the time
you got back the
viejo
had been put away and
el ]efe's
great hour
was over."
"I heard; on the radio."
"Ah, but you missed seeing him become an important actor
of history. No sooner did it happen than
el ]efe
realized that he
was going to be carried at least a short way on the principal current
'and that the eyes of the w0rld were watching him as well as the
old
russo.
After all, it isn't everyone from J alisco who gets mixed
up in such events. I don't think Felipe knew fully what the
viejo
was. I am sure he never read any of his books. But he had a fair
enough idea as you could tell from his deportment. He has great
talent."
"They're looking this way."
"Who, Felipe? No, only the girls. He wouldn't do anything of
the sort. He won't notice us. He's very firm on his dignity with us.
You know, Paco, he has a serious problem; he does not want to
show us his lighter side but at the same time he wants to outface
everyone."
"Especially me."
"It's a little different with you. I don't know why but he has
to prove something to me-that he has the right to despise me.
That's what success means to him. There are people like that.
He'll make them weep in Jalisco."
"They're refusing dessert," said Paco. "I don't think we're to
be allowed to finish. Yes, they're leaving." He put down his nap·
kin. The girls were already at the door. The General signed the
bill and they strolled across the grounds towards the road that led
to town.
On their left lay the mountains, treeless and red. Maguey and
