"Do as you think proper, caballero. A guest is one sent from God; he ought to be master in the house he inhabits, as long as he chooses to honour it with his presence. May the Lord watch over your repose and bless your slumbers! My son shall show you the corral (outhouse) where your horse has been stabled, in case you should wish to depart before the household is awake."
"Many thanks, once more, señorita. I hope to pay my respects to you before I go."
Having exchanged a few more compliments with his hostess, Don Fernando rose and left the room, accompanied by Don Estevan. The wish he expressed, to sleep in a hammock under the zaguán, was not at all extraordinary, and perfectly in accordance with the customs of a country where the nights, by their beauty and freshness, compensate the inhabitants for the overpowering heat of the day.
The American ranchos all have a porch, formed by four, and often six columns, outside the house, and which support an azotea (flat roof). In the large space between these columns, which are placed on either side of the main entrance, hammocks are slung, in which the owners of the dwellings themselves often pass the night, preferring to sleep in the open air rather than endure the torrid heat which literally converts into a stove the interior of the houses.
Don Estevan led his guest to the corral, explained to him the mechanism of the lock, asked if he could be of any further service, wished him good night, and retired into the house, leaving the door open, so that Don Fernando might enter if he thought fit.
Doña Manuela awaited her son's return in the apartment where he had left her. The old lady seemed restless.
"Well," she asked, immediately her son made his appearance, "what do you think of this man, Estevan?"
"I, mother!" he answered, looking astonished; "What can I think of him? I saw him today for the first time."
The old señora shook her head impatiently.
"You have been side by side for many hours; such a long tête-à-tête should have given you an opportunity of studying and forming an opinion of him."