At this Aneta looked frightened, and the Señora as angry as her double chin would allow.
"If the girl leaves, she need not return," said the Señora.
"My work is nearly done," said Aneta, with a fresh flood of tears.
"Crying, Aneta! I am ashamed of you. Come, I will help you finish your dishes."
Agueda rode around to the veranda pilotijo and dismounted. She tied Castaño there, as is the custom, taking care that she chose the pilotijo furthest removed from the main post, where several machetes were buried with a deep blade stroke.
The Señora was too heavy and lazy to object to Agueda's generosity. She seated herself in the doorway and watched the process of dish-washing. When the girls had finished, the worn towels wrung dry and hung on the line, Aneta took from the veranda nail her old straw hat.
"On further thought, you cannot go," said the Señora. "I need some work done in my room."
Agueda put her arm round Aneta.
"I bought her off," she said. "Come, Aneta, I have so little time."