XVI

 

Esan zun, goiz edo berandu esaten zuten bezela:

“Orrela ba, Amerikatarra, Miss Dunne?

Ez dezu ba itz egiten aiek bezela.”

Bere ustez zerbait atsegin eta losintxagarria.

Nere odol-bultzoak dardar egin arren

Aserrean erantzun: “Iñolaz ez, itz egiten det—

Orrela betiro uste izan nuen—

Ongi-ikasitakoak itz egiten duten bezela,

Edozein laterritakoak— nereak ere bai.

“Bai ote?” Burua nola makurtzen zuen ikusi

Ta Amerikatarrak erraz muturtzen dirala

Baieztatzera gertu.

 

 

 

XVI

And presently she said as they / Sooner or later always say: / ‘You’re an American, Miss Dunne? / Really you do not speak like one.’ / She seemed to think she’d said a thing / Both courteous and flattering. / I answered though my wrist were weak / With anger: ‘Not at all, I speak— / At least I’ve always thought this true— / As educated people do / In any country—even mine.’ / ‘Really?’ I saw her head incline, / I saw her ready to assert / Americans are easily hurt.