"This very day my majordomo, Don José Paredes, shall set out for the ciudad."
"Very good. Now I have one request to make of you."
"Speak, speak! I shall be delighted to prove to you how grateful I am."
"This is the matter: now that I am, temporarily at least, no longer your creditor, I have no decent pretext for remaining at the hacienda."
"Well, what does that matter?"
"It matters a great deal to me. I should like to remain here a few days longer, in order to enjoy your agreeable society."
"Are you jesting, Don Rufino? The longer you remain at the hacienda, the greater honour you will do us; we shall be delighted to keep you, not for a few days, but for all the time you may be pleased to grant us."
"Very good; that is what I desired. Now, I shall go away and leave you to your business."
When the majordomo returned to the hacienda at about eleven o'clock in the morning, Don Hernando sent for him. Without taking the time to pull off his vaquero boots or unbuckle his heavy spurs, José Parades hurried to his master.
"Have you a good horse?" the hacendero asked, so soon as the majordomo entered the study.