"I confess that I am wrong, and I ask pardon for it again, Señor; it is more than a man like me is accustomed to do. So give me your honest hand, and forget it."
The young man took the hand that the Pincheyra offered him, and resumed his place at the table beside him.
They continued their meal without any fresh disagreeable incident.
The Pincheyra was so overcome by fatigue, that, towards the end of the repast, he fell asleep talking.
The painter understood the effort which the Pincheyra was making, and put an end to his suffering, striking him on the shoulder.
"What do you want?" asked he.
"Merely to tell you that now you have appeased your appetite, you have another want, more imperious still, to satisfy; it is time that you went to sleep, so as to be speedily in a position to join your friends."
"True," said Don Santiago, laughing, "I am sleeping as I sit; I really do not know how to excuse myself for such ill manners before you."
"Pardieu! by lying down; that, I think, is the only thing you have to do at this moment."
"Upon my word, you are right; I will not make any fuss about it, and since you are so good a companion, I will, without any further delay, profit by your counsel."