"Well, my boy, you can't have it out of doors! Come now, let us pour it back into the jug; only don't get sick and have to be sent to the hospital."
No sooner said than done; she started straight for the jug; but Enrique detained her.
"I did not mean that, my beauty. In the house there might some harm happen to me; but here! here I seem to be in glory merely looking at you!"
"Señorito, you need lime juice and not milk!"
"May be!... How much is this?" he added, after he had drunk up the milk, and looking at Manolita with a smile.
"Not quite an onza."[28]
"How much?"
"Half a real."
He took a few coins out of his pocket, and as he put them into the chula's hands, he suddenly felt himself attacked by a philanthropy that mounted toward enthusiasm for her. To manifest this feeling, so appropriate to the essence of human nature and the spirit and doctrine of Christianity which commands us to love our fellow-creatures, our lieutenant had nothing left to do except to give her a fond hug accompanied by a kiss fonder still. But before carrying out such a plausible scheme, he cast a cautious glance all around to assure himself that no one was coming to disturb this benevolent act, and previously he bristled up his mustaches as all good rat terriers are accustomed to do. When once he had thus completed his preparations—All ready! Go!
When the chula found herself in the lieutenant's arms, she turned around as quick as a flash, tore herself away, let fly her hand, and zas! gave him a tremendous slap right in the nose.