"He's an amiable rogue," exclaimed Señor Ignacio, laughing. "He agrees right away."
"Yes; he takes everything calmly. But, look—" she added, turning to her son, "if ever I find out that you carry on as you did yesterday, you'll hear from me!"
Manuel said good-bye to his mother.
"Were you very long in that town of Soria with my cousin?" Señor
Ignacio asked.
"Two years."
"And did you work very hard there?"
"I didn't work at all."
"Well, sonny, you can't get out of it here. Come. Sit down and get busy. These are your cousins," added Señor Ignacio, indicating the youth and the little boy.
"They are a pair of warriors, too."
The youth's name was Leandro, and he was well-built; in no respect did he resemble his father. He had thick lips and a thick nose, an obstinate, manly expression; the other was a boy of about Manuel's age, frail, thin, with a rascally look, and called Vidal.