"What life is so happy as the military! Believe me, Señor Rivera, that in spite of the strictness of the rules, I miss it immensely."
Afterwards he offered him a cigar, and taking out a huge meerschaum mouthpiece, he began calmly to color it, calling up at the same time, with a veteran's satisfaction, various anecdotes of his academy life.
"That cigarette-holder is very pretty: what does it represent?"
"A cannon on a pile of projectiles; I beg of you to take it, Don Miguel."
"I do not need it," replied Rivera, handing it back.... "It is in very good hands."
"But I should be much better pleased to have you keep it, and I won't take it."
"Come now, friend Utrilla, don't be so lavish."
"Throw it down if you please, but I will not take it."
There was nothing to be done but keep it.
Then the former cadet brought the conversation round to Julia, and besought her brother's intercession, as he had written her four letters and had received not a single answer.