"It is necessary, at all events, to seek for work," he said to himself. He had money enough to last only for a month. Still he allowed his wife to spend as before, certain that she could not economize more than she did at the time without undergoing serious privations. The first thought that occurred to him was to seek for employment with some private firm. He called on a number of friends, and all cheered him with good words.
Nevertheless a month passed, and no employment appeared. He found himself obliged to pawn his watch in order to pay his landlord and store account; he told his wife that he had left it to be regulated.
A second month passed, and still nothing turned up. One day Maximina, dead with mortification, said to him, as though she were confessing some crime:—
"Miguel, the shopkeeper down street has sent me his bill, and as I have not a cuarto, I can't pay it."
The brigadier's son trembled; but hiding it as well as he could, he replied, with affected indifference:—
"Very well; I will see that it is paid when I go out. How much is it?"
"Two hundred and twenty-four reals."
"Do you need any more money?"
Maximina dropped her eyes and blushed.
"I owe Juana her wages."