And as the old gentleman, absorbed in his painful task of walking on his hands over the bars, did not perceive his presence, he said aloud:—
"Good afternoon, uncle."
Don Bernardo dropped to the floor, and gazing with bleared, vacant eyes, replied:—
"Holá! What brings you here?"
"Go ahead, uncle; don't let me interrupt you. How do you find yourself?"
"So, so. And your wife?"
"She is very well; go on, go on!"
Don Bernardo gave a jump, and again perched on the parallels.
"You can tell me what you want; I am listening."
Miguel looked at him a moment, and perceiving that the best thing to do was to attack the business in hand directly, and without any beating about the bush, he began to say:—