Gabriel began to laugh softly, one hand on his knee. His glasses shook and seemed about to fall.
"My dear boy, what's happened? Hadn't you better explain?"
"I've decided to take over Petaca. I should have done it long ago."
Gabriel blinked at Raul as if seeing him through smudged lenses. He trusted Raul, but he cleared his throat and knotted together the edge of his robe.
"We're in for trouble," Gabriel said, drawing his feet underneath his chair and bending forward thoughtfully. "This will really upset the hacienda."
"I don't want trouble; that's why I came to you."
Gabriel sighed. He was willing to assume responsibility, but he could not see where he could help. He had looked forward to the young man's administration of the estate at the death of his father. Removing his glasses, he pinched his nose, and then put the glasses on again.
"There's Pedro Chávez," he said. "You'll have to deal with him."
"Angelina reminded me," Raul said.
"Did you have to be reminded?" asked Gabriel. "Who else knows your decision besides Angelina?"