"Yes, talk to us now about the other road," cried Tropiezo, true to his habit of voting with the opposition. "It is even worse than the one by which we came."
"How should it be worse, man? It is a little longer, but as it is not so steep it is the best in the end. It skirts the pine wood."
"Do you want to tell me which is the best road—me who know the whole country as well as I know my own house? You cannot go by that road; I know what I am saying."
"And I say that you can, and I will prove it to you. For once in your life don't be stubborn. I came by it not many days ago. Do you remember, Nieves, the night we played hide-and-seek in the garden, the night they barred me out and I got over the wall?"
Had it not been for the thick shade cast by the pine trees and the fading daylight, it would have been seen that Nieves blushed.
"Let us take whichever road is easiest and most level," she said, evading an answer. "I am very awkward about walking over rough roads."
Segundo offered his arm, saying jestingly:
"That blessed Tropiezo knows as much about roads as he does about the art of healing. Come, and you shall see that we will be the gainers by it."
Tropiezo, on his side, was saying to Carmen Agonde, shaking his head obstinately:
"Well, we will please ourselves and go by the cut, and arrive before they do, safe and sound, with the help of God."