Manuel went to the dining-room. He could barely make out the congested faces through the thick tobacco smoke that filled the atmosphere. As Manuel entered, one of the merrymakers said:
"A little less noise; there's somebody sick."
Manuel delivered the message to the priest.
"Your mother's scared, that's all. I'll come a little later," replied
Don Jacinto.
Manuel returned to the room.
"Isn't he coming?" asked the sick woman.
"He'll be here right away. He says you're only scared."
"Yes. A fine scare," she murmured sadly. "Stay here."
Manuel sat down upon a trunk; he was so sleepy, he could hardly see.
He was just dozing off when his mother called to him.