"There is nothing for it," he replied in a tone of humility; "if I did not take a glass with every quartern, child of my soul, what would become of me? I should be ill."
The conversations at Morana's were less exciting and thrilling than those of the Club. Very few things interested these old parties; the most important local matters, which excited storms in the Club, were here treated, or rather touched upon, with indifference.
When the Gonzalezes sent off the captain of the "Carmen" and put an Andalusian in his place, they only said in a quiet tone:
"If the Gonzalezes have done so, they had reasons for doing it," for they were quite indifferent on the subject.
"It is true," said another, after some time, raising his glass to his lips.
"Ripalda seems a good fellow," said a third, after five minutes, as he put his glass down on the counter.
"Yes, he seems so," replied another gravely.
Ten minutes passed in meditation. The customers gave affectionate kisses to their glasses, which shone like topaz. Don Roque at last broke the silence.
"There is no manner of doubt that Don Antonio embraced her."
"Embraced her," said Don Juan, "the Salt."