He had not wished to be a burden to the family; though La Salvadora would have cared for him at home, he had taken it into his head to go to the hospital. Fortunately he was now feeling very much improved and he was soon to be discharged.
At this juncture La Salvadora came in. She looked very pretty and wore an air of independence. Greeting Manuel and Ortiz, she sat down before the machine and began to sew.
“Will you stay with us for supper?” asked La Fea of Manuel.
“No. I can’t. They won’t let me.”
“If you will promise me,” interjected Ortiz, “that this man will come to me whenever I send for him, even at two in the morning, I’ll give him his freedom.”
“Certainly. We give you our word,” declared La Fea.
“Very well, then. I’ll go. Tomorrow, at nine in the night, sharp, at my house. Agreed?”
“Yes, sir.”
“With military punctuality!”