“Very well; we’ll see. For the present he won’t have very much to do,” answered the Cripple.
Thereupon Calatrava and Vidal entered upon a discussion of their private affairs, while Manuel passed the time with a newspaper.
After they had finished talking, Calatrava left the café and the two cousins were once more alone.
“Let’s go to the Círculo,” suggested Vidal.
The Círculo was on one of the central thoroughfares. They went in; the ground floor contained a billiard and pool room, and several restaurant tables.
Vidal took a seat at one of these, struck a bell, and to the waiter who answered this summons, said:
“For two.”
“Right away.”
“Listen,” added Vidal, to Manuel: “From the moment we get into here, not a word. Ask me nothing; say nothing. Whatever you need to know, I’ll tell you.”
They ate; Vidal chattered about theatres, clubs, things that Manuel had never heard about. He remained silent.