"Why, Aneta, I suppose he will. I never tried him."
"I promised El Rey to come to see him one day soon. That was weeks ago. You know that Roseta has gone. The little creature is alone. If I should go there by myself the Señora would say bad things about me. She would say that I had gone for some wrong purpose. God knows I have no wrong purpose in my heart."
"Yes, I will go with you," said Agueda. "But, we must hasten. I have been away so long already. What time should you think it is, Aneta?"
Aneta turned to the west and looked up to the sky with that critical eye which rural dwellers who possess no timepiece acquire.
"Perhaps three o'clock, Agueda, perhaps four. Not so very late."
"So that I am home by six it will do," said Agueda.
She reproached herself that she should think of the happiness that awaited her at home while Aneta was so sad.
When they were again dressed, Agueda mounted Castaño, and riding close to an old mahogany stump, gave her hand to Aneta, aiding her to spring up to the horse's flank. Castaño was not over-pleased at this addition to his burden, but he made no serious demonstration, and started off toward the ford. The ford crossed, Agueda guided Castaño along the bank of the stream.
"Is this the Brandon place?" asked Agueda.
"No," said Aneta. "It is part of the Silencio estate."