"Swear to me, first, to grant what I am about to ask of you."
"Go on, child, and do not trouble yourself about the rest," Pedrito said, with a hearty laugh.
"No. I must have your oath."
"I have taken it; that is understood, I have all the gravity of an Indian idol."
"You are laughing at me," she said, with tears in her eyes.
"Confound the women!" Pedrito remarked; "They can always twirl men round their fingers. Come, silly child, do not cry any more. I swear to obey your whims. Tell me what it is all about."
"I have promised Doña Concha, my dear brother, to give her within three days news about Don Sylvio."
"What next?"
"I wish to perform my promise."
"The deuce."