"I say, mama, what do you think of Gonzalo's retreat?"
"Gonzalo's retreat!" exclaimed the señora, turning her head anxiously. "What do you mean, child?"
"Yes, his retreat, because I don't believe that he is ill; yesterday he was playing billiards at the Marina Café all the evening."
"Bah! bah! you are joking."
"I am not joking; I am serious."
"And who told you that?"
"I know it from Nieves, who was told by her brother."
"The pain probably left him in the evening, and he went out for a little change."
"Well, then, why did he not come to-day?"
"Because the pain no doubt returned."