"That child is a perfect limb of mischief," said Don Cárlos to his brother. "Only look at the place she has got to."
While, on the top of the slope, they were thus discussing her, Nela, down at the bottom, was trying to catch Líli, who, more wilful and daring than he had ever been before in the whole course of his monotonous existence, constantly eluded her grasp. His mistress shouted to him in vain to "be good and behave himself," while he, ignoring the most elementary principles of duty, went on leaping and frisking, looking up at her, from time to time, with consummate impudence, as though to say: "My good lady, just go on with your walk and leave me in peace."
At last, however, the sportive little beast got entangled among the briars which grew in the hollow, and there his little great-coat got him into dire trouble; the poor dog, finding it impossible to escape from the brushwood, began to bark lamentably for help.
"He will be lost, he will be killed!" wailed the Señora. "Nela, Nela, if you will only save him, I will give you a fine, big dog. Save him—go carefully—hold fast."
Nela went boldly to the rescue; setting her foot on the brambles and stout-stemmed creepers that grew over the rift, and holding on by one hand to the rock, she put out the other to take hold of Líli's tail, by which she pulled him out of the tangle in which he had been caught. Then, patting and coaxing him, she mounted in triumph to the top of the slope.
"It is your fault, all your fault," said Sofía crossly, and boxing the dog's ears very gently. "What on earth made you go down into that hole—you know he goes after you wherever he finds you—hussy that you are!"
And then she kissed her recovered treasure and gave him one or two mild slaps, and after having assured herself that his precious skin was whole, she pulled his little coat straight, which had got dragged over his head, and gave him to Nela, saying:
"Take him, and carry him in your arms, for he must be tired, and such a long scamper may do him harm. But take care of him—go on in front.—Take great care of him—you see I am close behind to keep an eye on you."
The family party set out again, with Nela leading the way. Líli looked at his mistress over Nela's shoulder, and seemed to say: "My good mistress, what a simpleton you are!"
Teodoro Golfin had said not a word during the whole of Líli's agitating escapade, but when they had started on their way once more and were crossing the fields, where the three could walk abreast without inconvenience, the doctor said to his brother's wife: