“Do you know that Señor Ibarra has the best cook in the province?” remarked the alcalde, to cut short such talk.
“You may well say that, but his beautiful neighbor doesn’t wish to honor the table, for she is scarcely eating a bite,” observed one of the employees.
Maria Clara blushed. “I thank the gentleman, he troubles himself too much on my account,” she stammered timidly, “but—”
“But you honor it enough merely by being present,” concluded the gallant alcalde as he turned to Padre Salvi.
“Padre,” he said in a loud voice, “I’ve observed that during the whole day your Reverence has been silent and thoughtful.”
“The alcalde is a great observer,” remarked Fray Sibyla in a meaning tone.
“It’s a habit of mine,” stammered the Franciscan. “It pleases me more to listen than to talk.”
“Your Reverence always takes care to win and not to lose,” said the alferez in a jesting tone.
Padre Salvi, however, did not take this as a joke, for his gaze brightened a moment as he replied, “The alferez knows very well these days that I’m not the one who is winning or losing most.”
The alferez turned the hit aside with a forced laugh, pretending not to take it to himself.