CHAPTER LXXX.
Which narrates the success of the page that carried Sancho's letter to his wife.
The duchess, having a great desire to continue the merriment which Don Quixote's extravagances afforded them, the page that acted the part of Dulcinea in the wood was despatched away to Teresa Panza with a letter from her husband (for Sancho, having his head full of his government, had quite forgotten to do it); and at the same time the duchess sent another from herself, with a large costly string of coral as a present.
Now the page was a sharp and ingenious lad; and being very desirous to please his lord and lady, made the best of his way to Sancho's village. When he came near the place, he saw a company of females washing at a brook, and asked them whether they could inform him if there lived not in that town a woman whose name was Teresa Panza, wife to one Sancho Panza, squire to a knight called Don Quixote de la Mancha? He had no sooner asked the question, than a young girl that was washing among the rest stood up: "Teresa Panza is my mother," quoth she; "that gaffer Sancho is my own father, and that same knight our master." "Well, then, damsel," said the page, "pray go along with me, and bring me to your mother; for I have a letter and a token here for her from your father." "That I will, with all my heart, sir," said the girl, who seemed to be about fourteen years of age; and with that, leaving the clothes she was washing to one of her companions, without staying to dress her head or put on her shoes, away she sprung before the page's horse, barelegged, and with her hair about her ears. "Come along, if it please you," quoth she; "our house is hard by; it is but just as you come into the town; and my mother is at home, but brimful of sorrow, poor soul; for she has not heard from my father, I do not know how long." "Well," said the page, "I bring her tidings that will cheer her heart, I warrant her." At last, what with leaping, running, and jumping, the girl being come to the house, "Mother, mother," cried she, as loud as she could, before she went in, "come out, mother—come out; here is a gentleman has brought letters from my father!" At that summons, out came the mother, spinning a lock of coarse flax, with a russet petticoat about her, a waistcoat of the same, and her smock hanging loose about it. Take her otherwise, she was none of the oldest, but looked somewhat turned of forty—strong-built, sinewy, hale, vigorous, and in good case. "What is the matter, girl?" quoth she, seeing her daughter with the page; "what gentleman is that?" "A servant of your ladyship's, my Lady Teresa Panza," answered the page; and at the same time alighting, and throwing himself at her feet, "My noble Lady Donna Teresa," said he, "permit me the honour to kiss your ladyship's hand, as you are the wife of my Lord Don Sancho Panza, governor of the island of Barataria." "Alack-a-day!" quoth Teresa, "what do you do? I am none of your court-dames; but a poor, silly, country body, a ploughman's daughter,—the wife, indeed, of a squire-errant, but no governor." "Your ladyship," replied the page, "is the most worthy wife of a thrice-worthy governor; and for proof of what I say, be pleased to receive this letter and this present." With that, he took out of his pocket a string of coral beads, set in gold, and putting it about her neck, "This letter," said he, "is from his honour the governor; and another that I have for you, together with these beads, are from her grace the lady duchess, who sends me now to your ladyship."
Teresa stood amazed, and her daughter was transported. "Now," quoth the young baggage, "if our master, Don Quixote, be not at the bottom of this. He has given my father that same government or earldom he has promised him so many times." "You say right," answered the page; "it is for the Lord Don Quixote's sake that the Lord Sancho is now governor of the island of Barataria." "Good sir," quoth Teresa, "read it me, if it like your worship; for though I can spin, I cannot read a jot." "Nor I neither," cried Sanchica; "but do but stay a little, and I will go fetch one that shall, either the bachelor Sampson Carrasco, or our parson himself, who will come with all their hearts to hear the news of my father." "You may spare yourself the trouble," said the page; "for though I cannot spin, yet I can read; and I will read it to you." With that he read the letter, which is now omitted, because it has been inserted before. That done, he pulled out another from the duchess, which runs as follows:
"Friend Teresa,
"Your husband Sancho's good parts, his wit and honesty, obliged me to desire the duke, my husband, to bestow on him the government of one of his islands. I am informed he is as sharp as a hawk in his office, for which I am very glad, as well as my lord duke, and return Heaven many thanks that I have not been deceived in making choice of him for that preferment; for you must know, Sigñora Teresa, it is a difficult thing to meet with a good governor in this world.
"I have sent you, my dear friend, a string of coral beads, set in gold; I could wish they were oriental pearls for your sake; but a small token may not hinder a great one. The time will come when we shall be better acquainted; and when we have conversed together, who knows what may come to pass?
"I understand you have fine large acorns in your town; pray send me a dozen or two of them; I shall set a greater value upon them as coming from your hands. And pray let me have a good long letter, to let me know how you do; and if you have occasion for any thing, it is but ask and have.
"Your loving friend,