Ramón picked up the pail of water and Teresa the watering can, and all three followed her. The garden was on the south side of the house. It was a daily chore for Grandmother, taking hours of her time. Every summer Teresa had been her constant helper, but since Mercedes had come, Grandmother had been unable to enlist Teresa’s help, for the two girls spent much of their free time walking about the finca. It had been Doña Anita who had solved the problem, by suggesting a definite day of the week to devote to the garden. That had saved arguments and time, and had given Grandmother three helpers instead of one. “Look at those poor plants,” Grandmother said, “What with the caterpillars, lizards and ants, it’s a wonder there are any left. Start pulling those weeds, Teresa. Get Mercedes to help you. Ramón and I must start working on the other side.” As Grandmother approached a patch of flowering plants, she said, “Who would have thought that these geraniums would live, eh, Ramón?
