She waited while this message was sent to the recalcitrant peons, who lounged lazily toward the House at her summons.
"De Señorit' send fo' me?" asked Pablo.
"I sent for both of you," said Agueda. "Why have you done no cacao planting to-day?"
"Ain' got no messages," replied Pablo, who seemed to have taken upon himself the rôle of general responder.
"You know very well that it is the messages that make no difference. Bring your machetes, both of you," ordered Agueda, "and come with me to the hill patch."
For answer the peons drew their machetes lazily from their sheaths.
"I knew that you had them, of course. Come, then! I am going to the field. Where is the cacao, Pablo?"
"Wheah Ah leff 'em," answered Pablo.
"And where is that?"