Ña Manuela was awaiting them at the entrance. She was smiling.
"Make haste!" she cried, as soon as she perceived them; "the angelus has rung an hour ago. It is supper time."
"Which means to say, mother, that we are dying with hunger," replied her son, dismounting; "so, if you have not prepared an ample meal, you run great risk of leaving our appetites unappeased."
"No fear of that, Estevan. I thought you would arrive in some such condition; so I took my precautions."
"Can you forgive me, madam," said the bee-hunter, "for making this fresh inroad on your hospitality?"
The mistress of the house smiled kindly.
"I am so ready to forgive you, señor," said she, "that, feeling convinced we should have you a long time with us, I have myself arranged your cuarto (quarters)."
Don Fernando did not reply at once: a lively blush overspread his features; he dismounted, and approaching the old lady:
"Señora," said he, much affected, "I know not how to thank you; you have guessed the dearest wish of my heart. Your son calls me brother: would you deign to permit me to call you mother? How happy it would make me!"
Ña Manuela fixed upon him a long and steadfast gaze: her face exhibited tokens of vivid emotion; two tears coursed slowly down her pallid cheeks. Then, stretching out her hand to the hunter, she said: